When the school district threw a curveball last month, announcing the one year delay of the highly-anticipated new middle school, taxpayers were left with more questions than answers.
The district reported that the setback was caused by construction delays and failed to offer additional details.
According to School Board Member Lynn Desmarais, one of the reasons for the delay was due the failure to seal the building in time before severe weather conditions. It is unknown why the project contractors, Porter Brothers, was unable to seal the building on time. Porter Brothers did not return our calls for a comment before deadline.
According to the district website, Porter Brothers are working with district staff and legal representatives, as well as the architects, NAC Architecture, to pinpoint the exact reasons for the delay. Porter Brothers were the contractors who built the new Meadow Crest Early Learning Center which opened in 2013 at its projected date.
The district anticipates to gain occupancy of the building sometime between October to December of this year. The temporarily suspended hiring process to restart in late fall. Planning principal Craig Cooper, along with the school’s Building Leadership Team, is set to host an information night, open house and tour opportunity for all incoming students and families in the spring of 2017.
According to Spokesperson Randy Matheson, the district will not see an increase in the school construction budget due to the delay.
The school, located at 6928 116th Avenue Southeast Newcastle, was named after long-time Renton educator, Vera Risdon last month.
