Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Construction Delays First Day of Classes at Nebraska Elementary School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 08/30/22

Ada Robinson Elementary School in Lincoln, Neb., had its first day of school on Monday, August 29—two weeks later than planned. The newly built elementary school was originally scheduled to open its doors to students on August 15, but construction delays forced the district to reconsider, according to local news.

On Friday, August 5, just hours after a media tour of the new facility, Superintendent Paul Gausman sent a letter to parents announcing the decision. “Out of an abundance of caution, I do not feel we will be ready to safely open the school building to students on August 15,” he said in the letter. “In order to ensure the safety of all our staff and students, we need to allow the construction team extra time to finish the core areas.”

One wing of the school is still under construction even after the building’s opening, as well as the playground and an open outdoor grassy area, local news reports. These final projects were always intended to continue through the fall, said Lincoln Public Schools.

“We knew when the project started that Robinson always faced a tight and challenging construction timeline amid a global pandemic which caused supply chain challenges and labor shortages,” said Gausman.

The district also announced that, in order to make up the lost time and meet instructional time requirements, the school day will be extended by 17 minutes for the remainder of the school year. Also, it will not offer an early release for the first week of school, unlike all the other schools in the district.

The new facility covers about 85,000 square feet and has capacity for 528 students, according to the district website. About 290 students are projected to attend during the first year. The PreK–5 facility was named after longtime respected district teacher Ada Robinson, who surprised students and staff on the first day of school to welcome them to their new home.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • St. John Fisher University

    Classroom Revitalization – Basil Hall Room 216

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. St. John Fisher University's Basil Hall Room 216 Classroom Revitalization has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of Spaces.

  • Wold Completes Geothermal Projects at Two Minnesota Schools

    Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has completed two geothermal expansion projects for Mounds View Public Schools in Shoreview, Minn., according to a news release. The work at Highview Middle School and Irondale High School serves the district’s long-term goal of reducing energy costs and dependency on non-renewable fuel sources, as well as improving building performance.

  • Fellowes Expands Finish and Wall-Covering Options for Architectural Wall Systems

    Fellowes Architectural Solutions has expanded the materials library for its architectural wall systems with a series of new finishes and wall-covering options intended to provide architects and designers with additional choices for commercial interiors, according to a company news release.

  • Spaces4Learning Announces 2026 Product Award Winners

    Spaces4Learning has just announced the winners of the 2026 Product Awards! The award program spotlights outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to enhance K–12 and higher-education learning environments.