WP board delays first day of school

With delays in the construction and renovation of the Wauneta-Palisade Wauneta Attendance Center, the WP Schools Board elected to push the first day of school back from Aug. 23 to Aug. 29 for kindergarten through high school students. School will still get out two hours early on the first day.
Afternoon preschool will begin Aug. 30 and morning preschool will begin Aug. 31.
Details for sixth grade orientation, the sixth through 12th grade parents’ kickoff and the Palisade Open House are still being finalized.
The board met Monday night for its regular meeting and approved the changes.
WP Principal Joseph Frecks sent an email to staff Monday to say construction is going well, but has not progressed as quickly as expected.
Delaying the start of school allows teachers and staff to meet next week to make their final preparations.
Work on the project began at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Between the renovation and addition, students and staff will have 51,650 square feet of new or remodeled space.
Superintendent Randy Geier said delays in receiving supplies contributed to the delayed start.
The school expects around 225 students for 2023-2024 and this will be the final year for the Palisade Attendance Center.
New teachers at WP this year are Clark Benne, transportation director, dean of students and boys basketball coach; Errin Wilson, elementary in Palisade; Joni Bowman, elementary in Palisade; Nancy Sorensen, junior high and high school, Math and English; Trent Herbert, tech, Math and Computer Science; Maria Jessica Ballon, Music; and Alexandria Bauer, Social Studies. Laynee Merrill will be a full time Language Arts beginning second semester.
CCS classes begin Tuesday
Chase County Schools will welcome 622 students Tuesday for the first day of the school year.
CCS will hold its annual Welcome Back Open House Monday from 3-6 p.m. following an inservice day for the staff.
Classes will follow a regular schedule Tuesday.
Eight new teachers will report this year, Adelaide Fisher, third grade; Jason Jensen, Jr. High PE; Susan Peoples, Art; Mallory Perez, second grade; Calder Forcella, Social Studies; Cale Holscher, H.S. PE/Strength and Conditioning; Peyton Rowley, seventh grade English; and Lexter Solamillo, H.S. English.