News Summary
Omaha Mayor John Ewing has confirmed the safety of two new elementary schools in Elkhorn, Iron Bluff and Stone Pointe, amid rising concerns from parents. During a press conference, Ewing assured that both schools are safe for occupancy despite ongoing construction, following communication with school district officials. While some parents have voiced concerns about unfinished work and the absence of critical utilities, both schools are said to be secure for students. A detailed schedule for completing remaining work is expected shortly, and city inspections have been conducted.
Omaha, NE – Omaha Mayor John Ewing has confirmed the safety of two new elementary schools in Elkhorn, Iron Bluff and Stone Pointe, which are currently under construction. This affirmation comes amid rising concerns from parents regarding the safety and readiness of the facilities ahead of their scheduled opening.
During a recent news conference, Mayor Ewing reassured that both schools are safe for students to occupy despite ongoing construction work. The Elkhorn school district, working closely with city building and inspection officials, made the decision to open the schools. Ewing became aware of specific safety concerns after receiving a voicemail on Wednesday evening from a concerned parent.
Following the revelation of these concerns, the mayor convened a meeting on Thursday that included Elkhorn Superintendent Bary Habrock, Ryan Lindquist from the district, and Steve Rease from Prairie Construction, the contractor responsible for the school projects. Ewing stated that the discussions during the meeting helped to alleviate his concerns about unfinished work and project schedules.
Construction Status and Compliance Issues
As part of the reassurances provided by the project officials, the construction company has committed to delivering a detailed schedule regarding the completion of the remaining work by Monday. Reports also indicate that the use of heavy equipment at the construction sites has ceased, which may address some parent concerns regarding safety amidst construction activity.
In response to some apprehensions voiced by parents, which included worries over unfinished construction areas and the absence of critical utilities like electricity and air conditioning in classrooms, Elkhorn Public Schools has maintained that both schools are secure for student and staff occupancy. However, a First Alert 6 investigation highlighted that the two schools had yet to pass all final inspections mandated by Omaha city law, raising concerns about compliance with safety requirements.
Additionally, it was observed that the schools do not possess a certificate of occupancy, leading to further unease about legal and safety compliance issues. Mayor Ewing addressed these points, confirming that the city’s fire division had conducted inspections and identified a number of items that required compliance prior to granting full occupancy approval. However, he clarified that while safety issues may arise from inspections, the authority to prevent the school openings lies with the district and city inspectors.
Transparency and Communication Concerns
Many parents have expressed dissatisfaction with transparency and communication from the school administration regarding the construction issues. In light of these concerns, the Nebraska Department of Education has stated that it has not received any official complaints concerning the new schools.
Both Elkhorn Public Schools and Prairie Construction released a joint statement indicating that safety features and inspections were completed before student occupancy commenced, although they acknowledged that some work remains unfinished. Mayor Ewing noted that he is open to visiting the construction sites if invited, despite having not yet seen them in person.
In an effort to keep families informed, Ewing announced that a follow-up communication would be sent out on Friday, August 15, providing updates on safety protocols and project timelines. This move aims to address the community’s growing concerns regarding the ongoing construction and safety of the new schools.
As the opening day approaches, the situation remains dynamic, and it will be crucial for all involved parties to ensure clear communication and adherence to safety regulations as the schools prepare to welcome students.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
District 65 Faces Budget Deficits and School Closures
Concerns Rise Over Safety Compliance at New Elkhorn Schools
Additional Resources
- WOWT: City of Omaha says Elkhorn schools with unfinished construction are violating law
- Wikipedia: School safety
- KETV: Elkhorn elementary schools violating city code, officials say
- Google Search: Elkhorn Schools construction issues
- Omaha World-Herald: Elkhorn schools safety concerns
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
- WOWT: Omaha Mayor no plans to shut down 2 Elkhorn schools
- Google Scholar: School construction safety
- WOWT: City says Elkhorn schools are violating law
- Google News: Elkhorn Schools city code
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