News Summary
Omaha Mayor John Ewing has addressed safety concerns regarding the new Elkhorn elementary schools, Iron Bluff and Stone Pointe, currently under construction. Following parents’ alarms about unfinished work and heavy machinery, Ewing confirmed that the schools will open after consultations with the school district and building officials. Despite some construction still ongoing and missing occupancy certificates, he reassured that the schools are safe for students. A follow-up communication is planned to update families on safety and construction timelines.
Omaha – On Thursday, Omaha Mayor John Ewing assured parents and the public about the safety of the new elementary schools in Elkhorn, namely Iron Bluff and Stone Pointe, which are currently under construction. This statement came in response to growing concerns regarding the readiness and safety of the schools as students are set to return to them.
Mayor Ewing organized a news conference to specifically address these issues following concerns voiced by parents about unfinished construction areas and the presence of heavy equipment. He confirmed that the decision to allow the opening of the schools was made collaboratively by the Elkhorn school district and the city’s building and inspection officials. Despite ongoing construction, he expressed confidence that the educational facilities are safe for students.
Upon receiving a voicemail on Wednesday evening referencing the safety concerns, Ewing quickly scheduled a meeting with key stakeholders. This included Elkhorn Superintendent Bary Habrock, district representative Ryan Lindquist, and Steve Rease from Prairie Construction. The meeting reportedly left the mayor reassured about the completion of outstanding items and the project timelines.
The construction company has committed to providing a detailed schedule for the completion of the remaining work by Monday. In light of the concerns, the use of heavy equipment at the construction sites has been halted. Ewing emphasized that while a nearby project developed by another entity exists, there was never an intent to close the schools as long as satisfactory progress was maintained.
Parents have raised alarms regarding the readiness of the schools, specifically mentioning areas that remain unfinished, the presence of construction equipment around students, and classrooms not having essential utilities, including electricity and air conditioning. A recent investigation indicated that the new schools have not successfully passed all required final inspections mandated by Omaha city law. Notably, Elkhorn Public Schools currently does not possess a certificate of occupancy, a critical document that addresses legal and safety compliance concerns.
While the city’s fire division has conducted inspections and noted several items that require attention before full occupancy can be granted, Ewing clarified that the authority to decide whether schools can open rests with the district and city inspectors, not the inspection reports themselves. He indicated that although inspectors had identified safety issues, they did not prevent the school openings.
The Elkhorn Public Schools district has consistently maintained that both schools are secure for students and staff, countering the fears raised by many parents. Concerns have also been expressed about the lack of communication from the school administration regarding these safety matters. Parents have demanded greater transparency, particularly regarding how construction issues are being handled.
The Nebraska Department of Education confirmed that they have not received any official complaints related to the new schools, highlighting that the district has yet to report any issues of concern. In response to ongoing inquiries, a joint statement from Elkhorn Public Schools and Prairie Construction indicated that safety features and inspections were confirmed completed prior to student occupancy, although they acknowledged that some work is still unfinished.
Looking forward, Mayor Ewing announced that a follow-up communication is set to be sent to families on Friday, August 15, which will offer updates on safety protocols and timelines regarding the ongoing construction work. The situation remains dynamic as parents continue to voice their dissatisfaction with the current level of communication and transparency from the school district regarding construction issues.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
District 65 Faces Potential School Closures Amid Budget Deficits
Elkhorn School District Opens New Elementary Schools Amid Concerns
Additional Resources
- WOWT: City of Omaha says Elkhorn schools with unfinished construction are violating law
- Wikipedia: School safety
- KETV: Elkhorn elementary schools violating city code, officials say
- Google Search: Elkhorn Schools construction issues
- Omaha World-Herald: Elkhorn schools safety concerns
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
- WOWT: Omaha Mayor no plans to shut down 2 Elkhorn schools
- Google Scholar: School construction safety
- WOWT: City says Elkhorn schools are violating law
- Google News: Elkhorn Schools city code
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