CAMERON - Students in Cameron will not move into their new state-of-the-art school until late September or early October.
According to Marshall County Schools Superintendent Fred Renzella, the most recent target date was set for June or July, with students and teachers moving into the school when classes resume Aug. 1. However, more delays have caused that date to be pushed back until September.
"There is still much work to be done until they are at substantial completion and we take possession of the building," Renzella said.
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Photo by J.W. Johnson Jr.
The main entrance to the new Cameron High School features glass walls and doors that provide views of the school’s football facility.
Renzella said the substantial completion date is now set for August, though several other steps need to happen after that to ensure the school is ready for students.
"Part of that is cleaning, balancing the HVAC system and completing a punch list of items that need to be repaired or cleaned," he said.
Although he said plans remain tentative, the newest schedule, which was discussed at a board of education meeting Thursday night at the site, has students and teachers moving into the school over fall break in October.
He said even though dates remain tentative and could be sooner or later than the date given, the probability is that the building will open in October. The original substantial completion date for the $31.4 million project was mid-October 2011.
On Thursday, the board of education and school administrators were given a tour of the school, which is now entirely under roof. The classrooms, which feature sky lights or walls of windows to save on energy costs, are near completion, as are science labs and the home economics room, which contains four kitchens.
Two large gymnasiums are also taking shape, but they are currently being used for storage space for equipment and supplies. The main gym will seat 1,000 people and has a walking track around the top, while an auxiliary gym for practices and middle school games will seat 250.
Concrete work is being completed behind the building, where a greenhouse will be installed. School officials said that portion of the project will be completed by district workers.
