TOLLAND -- The Tolland School District announced it will be pushing back the first day of classes for all public school students from August 28th to September 3rd.
Birch Grove Primary School has been dealing with an on-going crumbling foundation issue due to the corrosive mineral pyrrhotite, similar to the same problem facing hundreds of homeowners.
Officials said in a statement, “While teachers will start as planned on August 21st, a later start date for students is necessary. Therefore, the start date for students will be September 3, 2019, the Tuesday after the Labor Day weekend.”
Crews have been working on repairs for months, but in the midst of construction, students are set to attend classes inside temporary modules but they aren’t ready yet.
“We’ve been able to put it together in weeks so pushing back a couple of days, it’s still a miracle we were able to get it open when we were,” Tolland Superintendent Walter Willett said.
“I sympathize with other parents who don’t have a child care situation, so they need to try to get camp extended or take time off themselves, so I'm sure it’s hardship,” parent Michelle Philopena said.
Superintendent Willet said it was best to push back the start date for the entire district-keeping everyone on the same page.
Due to the schedule change the Family Resource Center will now have 50 seats open for students who need childcare from August 28th through August 30th.
The last day of school for students has also been moved from June 10th until June 15th.