St. Lucie County school delays opening as construction continues, leaving parents scrambling for childcare options
Tradition Lakes K-8 in St. Lucie County has postponed its opening by a week, citing unfinished construction and safety concerns, leaving parents with questions and concerns.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. —
Tradition Lakes K-8 in St. Lucie County has delayed its opening by a week. Construction is still underway at the school.
Some parents are now concerned about safety and scrambling for childcare options.
The school, originally scheduled to welcome 1,600 students on Monday, will now open on Aug. 17, according to district officials. Superintendent Dr. Jon R. Prince released a statement explaining that after inspecting the school, he did not feel staff had enough time to “adequately prepare it for parents and children,” leading to the decision to push the opening.
Parents and residents expressed concerns about the delay and the state of the school.
“The kids’ safety needs to come first. I don’t know how they’re going to do it,” one grandmother said. “I’m concerned that they’re going to bring 1,600 kids with it looking like construction. There are signs all over that say hard hat area.”
Parent Robyn Johnson questioned whether the school would be ready in time.
“It doesn’t look at all done, especially towards the back there,” she said.
Tradition Lakes K-8 is expected to provide much-needed classroom space for one of the county’s fastest-growing communities. However, some parents feel the process has been mishandled.
“It’s a nice idea, absolutely wonderful that they have a new school coming, but they haven’t run this, in my opinion, the right way. But hopefully, they get it done,” a grandmother said.
The district said it will share community childcare options for families during the delay.
An open house is scheduled for next Friday.
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