By MARY EVA CASSADA
Special to The News & Record
The opening of school is still on track, the school administration assures parents and students. The first day of August 20 is “reasonably firm,” said Deputy Superintendent Larry Clark. Everything hinges upon the completion of the brand-new South Boston Elementary. Its twin down U.S. 501, Cluster Springs Elementary, is more or less ready and waiting. In a positive sign, Friday afternoon a building inspector was making his rounds at South Boston, off Hamilton Boulevard. This past weekend, the school looked sharp from the exterior, with skinny saplings and small shrubs in place and the parking lots freshly paved in black. The air-conditioning hummed. The contractor, Blair Construction of Danville, is “applying as much labor as possible,” Clark said.
“I think every effort is being made” to finish the structure, he said, if for no other reason than the contractor faces stiff monetary penalties for going beyond the completion date. Above that, Clark said a delayed start of school would be “difficult at best.” Not only would the first day of school be postponed but the whole calendar would have to be redrawn.
New teachers report to school on August 6. Returning teachers arrive August 9. Students go to class on August 20.