Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — In about two weeks, Soda Creek Elementary School students will begin their first day of school in the mobile classroom facility in the field adjacent to the George P. Sauer Human Services Center on Seventh Street.

The layout of the temporary school is set, but parents and community members will have a chance to review a traffic plan and ask questions to school district staff at two information sessions today - one at 1 p.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m. - sat Steamboat Springs High School.

Todd Ficken, the Steamboat Springs School District's owner's representative for the construction project, will present the traffic plan, which will address student drop-off, parking and other issues.

"In addition to the traffic plan, he'll provide an update on where we are on schedule," Soda Creek Principal Judy Harris said. "Also, he'll be there to provide parents and neighbors of Soda Creek with the next steps in the process."

Harris said Ficken and other school staff will open the floor to questions after the presentation.

"We may not be able to answer all the questions, but that's OK," said Harris, who noted that acting Superintendent Dale Mellor also will be available for questions. "We are also there to learn and take away things we may not have previously thought about."

Harris said she is excited about the progress at the temporary school site and she said the facility is on schedule to be ready for students when school starts Aug. 27.

"At the meeting, we should also be ready to give parents a time when they can bring their children to come see their new classrooms," said Harris, who said a Spanish translator will be available at the 6:30 p.m. meeting.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 12 of the 13 mobile classrooms had been delivered to the site, and construction crews are working overtime to renovate the interior of the Human Services Center to house kindergarten classrooms, a media center, music rooms and a nurse's office.

The final classroom won't be delivered until mid-September, primarily because half of the modular was destroyed in an accident outside of Craig.

Project Engineer Brian Becker said last week the classroom was to host teacher aides.