Failed Inspection Delays Opening of New Elementary School

The grand opening of a new elementary school for Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, Ky., has been postponed after the facility failed to pass a Louisville Metro government inspection last week, according to a district press release. Failing the inspection means that the facility will not be granted a Certificate of Occupancy in time for the district’s first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Students and staff of the new Wilkerson Elementary School will instead return to Watson Lane Elementary, which closed at the end of last school year, until construction at Wilkerson is complete.

“This is extremely disappointing,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. “The contractor assured us that the building would be completed on time. I apologize to the Wilkerson families for this unacceptable pause in their excitement about moving into a new building.”

The project’s general contractor, Marrillia Design and Construction, communicated to JCPS last week that construction was scheduled for completion by the first day of classes, the news release reports. However, inspectors judged that construction still wasn’t far enough along to allow occupancy, citing issues like an unfinished roof.

Local news reports that Watson Lane Elementary closed at the end of the 2021–22 academic year and that its student and staff population was set to funnel into the new school. The district is in the process of reopening the facility and reworking bus routes to serve all students.

“While I’m disheartened we won’t be opening our school year in a new building, I can assure Wilkerson families that regardless of the structure we’re in, great teaching and learning will be going on inside,” said Wilkerson Principal Sara Alvey.

Wilkerson Elementary comes with a price tag of $17 million and will cover 82,352 square feet, according to the press release.

“The new Wilkerson elementary will be a beautiful, welcoming, high-tech learning environment for kids,” said Pollio. “I’m looking forward to cutting the ribbon in a few weeks on the first new school built in Southwest Jefferson County in 24 years.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Greenheck Launches New Series of Rooftop Units

    Air movement, control, and conditioning solutions provider Greenheck recently launched a new line of rooftop units that merge the conveniences of traditional rooftop ventilators and dedicated outdoor air systems, according to a news release. The Model RT controls temperature and humidity for indoor comfort.

  • Clemson to Launch North America’s Largest College Campus Smart Parking Program

    Clemson University in Clemson, S.C., recently announced a partnership with smart parking and curbside management solutions provider eleven-x to launch a smart parking initiative for its population of 29,000 students and faculty, according to a news release.

  • Rice University to Build New Student Life Complex

    Rice University in Houston, Texas, recently announced that a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Moody Center Complex for Student Life (MCCSL) will take place on May 8, 2025, according to a university news release. The 75,000-square-foot facility was designed by architecture firm Olson Kundig with Page serving as executive architect, and it has an estimated completion date of fall 2027.

  • KI Wall Demonstrates New Solutions at NeoCon 2025

    KI Wall attended NeoCon 2025 in Chicago, Ill., last month to showcase its new architectural wall systems and collaborations, according to a news release. Its customizable, design-forward wall solutions are intended to support creativity in work, education, and healthcare environments.

Digital Edition