Excessive rain delays parts of Thomas Jefferson Elementary renovation

Excess water from repeated rainstorms has delayed parts of the construction project at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, which is supposed to be finished before school starts.

Online weather reports showed Newton accumulated less than four inches of rain last week. The bulk of the precipitation occurred during the afternoon and the evening of July 11, in which emergency response agencies issued a tornado warning and a flood watch in parts of Newton and Jasper County.

Superintendent Tom Messinger said in a July 14 construction update that while crews are making progress on the new addition, the weather has left an impact. The driveway, parking lot and old track area continue to be worked on, but the concrete has to set for a full 30 days before buses and traffic can use them.

“Unfortunately with all the rain lately things have slowed down a little bit,” he said.

School board member Travis Padget asked if a contingency plan was in place in case the concrete work is not finished by the time school starts. Currently, the first day of the 2025-2026 school year is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 25. Which means the concrete would need to set before July 26.

“I just drove by and there is still a lot of water on the old track,” Padget said “…Is there a contingency plan if that is not ready in a little over a month?”

Messinger said, “As of right now, we’ve not a had a (construction) meeting since having some rain. Things were in good shape prior to those (rainy days).”

Messinger joked that school board members might need to have a work session where they come to the site with buckets to get rid of water.

If it remains dry, the driveway should be completed soon. Apart from the pools of water putting off some of the renovation work, crews have made progress on the north lot, completed the interior door frames in the remodeled area and installed the ceiling grid and the new lockers. Electrical and water work are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, Aurora Heights Elementary is undergoing massive changes as well. The walls are being built around the new gym and the footings are completed. Crews have also started working on the walkway but are still figuring out the boiler installation and the costs for different flooring options.

Even though the weather has tossed in a few roadblocks, the community input seems to be relatively positive. Padget recalled a comment from a parent he spoke with around the Fourth of July. Specifically, they spoke highly of the new addition at Thomas Jefferson Elementary.

“It looks really nice,” Padget said.

In a follow-up with Newton News, Messinger stressed the district still plans to be completed on schedule but now there is less of a “cushion” than what there was before. If more rain is forecasted and delays the project past that comfortable timeframe, the school will have to come up with a plan for transporting students.

“It’s my understanding that one of the big issues is putting buses across concrete that hasn’t cured all the way,” Messinger said. “Exactly what that means for us, I don’t know right now. But we’re still hopeful at this point in time.”