KPS postpones opening to Aug. 19

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

KILDARE — Kildare Public School is postponing the start of the school year due to ongoing construction at the facility. KPS will now open Aug. 19 to give teachers more time to organize their classrooms following an inspection from the fire marshal.

Voters passed a $2 million bond Nov. 12, 2019 to upgrade the facility to accommodate an increasing student body, and graduated the first eighth grade class in May in many years. Upgrades include a larger gym with a new floor, bus barn, new classrooms, a covered walkway out front and new smoke alarms and sprinklers.

“We hope in another two months to have our gym and classrooms finished and ready to use,” said Superintendent Bruce Shelly.

The fire marshal is expected to make the final inspection of the facility next Wednesday, Aug. 11, one day prior to the original start date, so school officials pushed the school year back one week.

“By changing it a week, it will give then time to be prepared for the students,” Shelly said.