Opening of Crum school pushed back again

CRUM, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Construction delays are pushing the start date back yet again for Crum Pre-K-8th grade students in Wayne County.

It's a disappointment to some excited parents and kids. But they believe, in the end, it will be worth the wait.

For now, most doors to the rooms are locked and ready for kids, at least some of them. There's some work left to do for others.

"I think I'm just going to love the new school," said fifth-grader Bella Ferguson.

But Bella is going to have to wait another two weeks. While the rest of Wayne County gets underway Thursday, and she was supposed to start on Monday, construction delays now will keep her out until Sept. 5, the day after Labor Day.

"I'm ready to go back to school,” Ferguson said. “I've waited the whole summer. I'm tired of just sitting and waiting."

It's quite the update to the old school which was built in 1938.

"I just hope they hurry,” said Bella’s stepfather Wayne Williamson. “I hope it's not too much longer."

Williamson is not happy that Crum won't finish on time like C-K Elementary did, even though they were both paid for using the same bond.

"It is frustrating," he said.

But for Katie Bragg, mother of two at the school and a third at the high school, the delay doesn't bother her at all.

"Good things come to those who wait," she said. "Hopefully for generations to come it will be something Crum can be proud of."

Wayne Schools Superintendent Todd Alexander said builders could never catch up from all the rain last summer plus compacting soil problems, meaning they have missed the scheduled completion date of July 21.

"Once we have everyone in there, the facility is going to serve that community for decades so we're really excited about opening that school," Alexander said.

Both Bragg and Williamson agree, "it's been a long time coming."

But for Bella, an excited fifth-grader, there's a little bit longer wait until she can walk in the doors for the first day of school.

"I think I'm going to say, 'Wow, this is a great building. I'm glad we got a new one.'"

Alexander believes this should be the last delay.

Crews will also be doing a thorough cleaning before kids arrive.

Alexander tells WSAZ the contract with the construction firm has the option for fines for the delays, but it's something that will be considered later when the keys are officially turned over.