An intermediate school under construction in the Tacoma (Wash.) district won't be ready to open when the 2016-17 year begins.
The district says that Wainwright Intermediate School, which is being built in Fircrest, Wash., will not be completed on time because of "record wet weather combined with a supply and labor shortage." Officials now say students are expected to move into their new classrooms "no later than Jan. 3, 2017."
The intermediate school is being built to accommodate students in grades four through eight. the district says that until the new building is ready, students in grades four, five and six will attend classes in temporary basement classrooms at nearby Whittier Elementary.
"While this transition will be a temporarily tight fit, the intent is to keep the community together and eliminate the need to bus students to an alternate site," the district says.
Reacting to the delay, parents of Wainwright students have raised questions about about safety and crowding at Whittier, The Tacoma News Tribune reports.
Parents say they are concerned about whether students in basement classrooms might be in danger in an earthquake or fire. They also say Whittier’s basement floods regularly. District administrators have assured community members that the temporary spaces at Whittier will adhere to safety standards and building codes.
Video: Virtual tour of planned Wainwright campus:
