By Sterling McGinn
Tahquamenon Area Schools (TAS) has announced that the start of the upcoming school year will not begin until Monday, September 11.
A delay in the arrival of construction materials needed for the ongoing asbestos abatement and construction projects forced the Tahquamenon Area Schools Board of Education to postpone the first day back, which was originally set for Monday, August 28.
The decision was made at a special board meeting held Tuesday, August 1 at the school.
The delay in materials has slowed work within the facility and wouldn’t allow time for necessary inspections. There also wouldn’t have been enough time to clean and prepare areas and classrooms for students to return.
Work is ongoing in the elementary building, where crews have been removing ceiling and floor tiles containing asbestos fibers. The first and second sections of the asbestos removal project have been completed.
Section one includes the kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms and the old elementary gymnasium. Section two contains the third, fourth, fifth, and six grade rooms.
Section three, which was set to be completed by early August, is near the computer lab, music room, offices, and preschool. This section also contains the science wing, high school gym locker rooms, and kitchen.
The Newberry News will report more information regarding the upcoming school year in coming issues. The date for the 2024 TAS graduation will not change, and the school is currently working on updating the schedule for the year.
In the meantime, Registration Day has been rescheduled to Wednesday, August 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration will take place in the old high school portion. Parents can attend to learn information regarding the upcoming school year and to update their student’s information in PowerSchool.
