News Summary
Mayor John Ewing reassured parents that the new Elkhorn elementary schools, Iron Bluff and Stone Pointe, are safe for students, despite ongoing construction concerns. The mayor emphasized that the decision to open the schools involved collaboration with school officials. Parents have raised worries about safety due to unfinished work and inspections, while the school district maintains that adequate safety measures are in place. Ewing announced updates will be provided to families to alleviate concerns as the situation develops.
Omaha, NE – Mayor John Ewing has assured parents and the community that the new Elkhorn elementary schools, Iron Bluff and Stone Pointe, are safe for students, despite ongoing construction concerns. The mayor addressed these issues during a news conference, emphasizing that the decision to open the schools was made collaboratively between Elkhorn Public Schools and the city’s building and inspections officials.
The mayor received a voicemail raising safety concerns on Wednesday evening and promptly met with key district and construction representatives on Thursday. This meeting helped reaffirm Ewing’s confidence in the schools’ safety as the officials discussed the completion of unfinished items and established project timelines. The construction company responsible for the sites committed to delivering a schedule for the remainder of the project by Monday.
Parents have expressed their worries about safety due to unfinished construction areas, heavy equipment in proximity to students, and the absence of vital utilities such as electricity and air conditioning in some classrooms. In light of these issues, reports indicate that heavy equipment usage at the construction sites has ceased.
Concerns were further heightened by a First Alert 6 investigation, which found that the two schools had not passed all final inspections mandated by Omaha city law and lacked a certificate of occupancy. While the city’s fire division has inspected the schools and identified several compliance issues, Ewing clarified that city inspectors do not possess the authority to prohibit school openings; this responsibility lies with the district.
The Elkhorn Public Schools have consistently maintained that both Iron Bluff and Stone Pointe are secure for students and staff, countering the fears expressed by parents. Responses from the Nebraska Department of Education suggested that no official complaints regarding the new schools have been received.
Ewing acknowledged a nearby development project but confirmed that the intent to close the schools was contingent upon satisfactory progress and safety assurances. The mayor reflected on past experiences, indicating that improved communication would have helped ease current worries. He has expressed openness to visiting the construction sites, although he has not done so yet.
The Elkhorn Public Schools and Prairie Construction released a joint statement asserting that safety features and necessary inspections were completed before students were allowed on the premises, despite some work remaining unfinished. The situation has sparked discussions around transparency in the school district, with parents expressing frustration with the level of communication regarding construction issues.
In response to the growing concerns, Ewing announced that a follow-up communication would be sent to families on Friday, August 15. This message will include updates on safety protocols and project timelines to enhance understanding and alleviate concerns.
As the situation continues to develop, parents remain focused on ensuring a safe environment for their children as they prepare to transition into the new schools amidst ongoing construction activities. The collaboration between school officials and the city’s departments will be crucial in addressing ongoing concerns and ensuring the timely completion of the construction projects.
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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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