Education

Wainwright school won’t be ready for start of 2016-17 year

This 2014 rendering shows the proposed building for the new Wainwright Intermediate School in Fircrest, which will not open on time, according to Tacoma Public Schools.
This 2014 rendering shows the proposed building for the new Wainwright Intermediate School in Fircrest, which will not open on time, according to Tacoma Public Schools. Courtesy

Wainwright Intermediate School will not be ready to open for the beginning of the 2016-17 school year, according to Tacoma Public Schools.

The new Fircrest school, at the site of the former Wainwright Elementary School, is to eventually host grades four through eight.

A letter to parents, sent Monday, said a record-wet winter and a shortage of subcontractors caused the delay, which could last until students return from winter break.

Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders will begin the year at nearby Whittier Elementary School, the release said.

“While this transition plan will be a temporarily tight fit, the intent is to keep the community together and eliminate the need to temporarily bus students to an alternate site,” the release said.

Originally planned to open for the 2017-18 school year, the Wainwright project had been fast-tracked by the Tacoma School Board in 2014 to be opened a year ahead of schedule.

The News Tribune will have more on this story on Tuesday.

Kenny Ocker: 253-597-8627, @KennyOcker

This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 3:17 PM with the headline "Wainwright school won’t be ready for start of 2016-17 year."

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