News Summary
Elkhorn Elementary Schools, Iron Bluff and Stone Pointe, opened amid ongoing construction and safety issues, raising alarms among parents and community members. Inspection reports reveal non-compliance with local laws, as students navigate hazardous conditions like active construction sites and unfinished facilities. Despite the district’s assurances of safety, many express serious concerns over the lack of necessary occupancy certificates and the potential risks posed to children in these environments.
Omaha – New Elkhorn Elementary Schools, Iron Bluff and Stone Pointe, opened their doors to students on the first day of school despite ongoing construction and safety compliance issues. An investigation has revealed that both schools currently do not comply with Omaha city law regarding occupancy, raising concerns for parents and community members.
The Elkhorn School District has maintained that both schools are safe for students and staff. Nevertheless, on the first day, students at Iron Bluff Elementary found themselves navigating an active construction site. Heavy machinery and unfinished sidewalks were among the hazards present, prompting alarm among parents.
Parents expressed their concerns regarding the safety of the premises, with reports indicating unfinished areas within the schools. A parent visiting Iron Bluff observed welding operations underway, classrooms lacking electricity or air conditioning, and construction crews actively working throughout the buildings. Similar concerns were raised about Stone Pointe Elementary, where parents identified ongoing construction that raised safety alarms.
Inspection reports uncovered by parents revealed various issues, including deficiencies in the fire prevention systems, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, and storm shelter inspections. Anna Bespoyasny, an official with the Omaha Building Department, confirmed the absence of a certificate of occupancy for the Elkhorn Public Schools, stating that they should not be open for student attendance.
The Elkhorn School District’s position is that the occupancy certificate cannot be issued until the entire project is fully completed, including all landscaping and finishing touches. Provisions within municipal code exempt schools from facing certain penalties for non-compliance, which city officials acknowledge while stating that the schools are currently violating local laws.
Bespoyasny emphasized the need for addressing these regulatory breaches at both city and state levels. She stressed the significant risks associated with placing children in potentially unsafe environments during ongoing construction. The school district’s contractor, Prairie Construction, has countered the safety concerns by asserting that all essential safety inspections were completed before students were allowed to occupy the schools.
Further complications arise from the ongoing construction, which continues to affect several areas within the schools. Specific facilities such as music, art rooms, playgrounds, and kitchens remain unfinished. As a result, meals for students at Iron Bluff are being prepared at Elkhorn South High School and then transported to the campus.
At Stone Pointe Elementary, the unfinished C-wing has been cordoned off and will remain inaccessible until mid-September. Parents are encouraged to be mindful of construction debris scattered across the site, such as nails and screws, which could potentially pose health and safety risks to students in the school environment. Additionally, incomplete common area flooring and ongoing work on parking lots have prompted officials to advise parents to allow extra time during drop-off and pick-up routines.
As the Elkhorn School District moves forward with operations at the new elementary schools, the balancing act between educational needs and safety compliance remains crucial. Both schools are currently facing scrutiny regarding the implications of ongoing construction and city law adherence while striving to provide a safe learning environment for students.
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Additional Resources
- WOWT: City of Omaha Says Elkhorn Schools with Unfinished Construction Are Violating Law
- KETV: Elkhorn Elementary Schools Violating City Code, Officials Say
- 3 News Now: New Elkhorn Elementary School to Open with Construction Still Underway
- WOWT: Two Elkhorn Elementary Schools Holding Students Amid Unfinished Construction
- 3 News Now: Elkhorn Public Schools Give Update on Construction Projects Amid Delays
- Wikipedia: Construction
- Google Search: Elkhorn Schools Construction Issues
- Google Scholar: School Safety Construction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Safety
- Google News: Elkhorn Schools News
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