Construction has yet to be completed on Woodbridge Elementary School's historical central building. The building, to house administrative offices, a computer lab and library, won't be complete when the 2006-07 school year starts, but the school is opening nonetheless. (Kendyce Manguchei/News-Sentinel)

LUSD says Woodbridge Elementary may not be complete, but it's ready

When Madeline McDonald starts the third grade at Woodbridge Elementary School in July, she hopes many of her friends from Lakewood will be there.

But her grandma, Lorrie King, just hopes the school will be able to handle the incoming students.

"I've heard the teachers are excellent ... I just hope the facility can meet the quality of the teachers," King said.

Woodbridge Elementary closed in 2004 for construction and upgrades paid for by the Measure K school bond. The school will open July 31 for the 2006-07 school year, but parts of the building are still being added and may not be finished until six months from now.

LUSD Facilities Planning Assistant Superintendent Mamie Starr acknowledged the project has been delayed by half a year. Until the building opens, the campus won't have its own library, computer lab or multi-purpose room.

Andres Zapata, another Lakewood parent, said his daughter will be entering the second grade at Woodbridge. He said he hoped that once students have started the school year, the school district will make sure the kids will be taken care of even if the school isn't entirely done.

Part of the reason for the delay was that the state's architect's office couldn't find the original plans for the building, constructed more than 70 years ago, after contractors had already removed wiring, plumbing, lead paint and asbestos. The district then had to halt construction and resubmit new plans.

District officials, however, say all the classrooms will be functional, each with two or three Internet-ready computers. Additional books, research materials, or other equipment could come from the Lodi Public Library, other schools and the district's Instructional Material Center, Principal John Kirilov said late last week.

Last Wednesday, Kirilov met with about 100 parents at the school to address concerns about the construction timeline, and led a tour and question-and-answer session.

Cement for new sidewalks is being poured and classrooms are being remodeled. Six portable classrooms, once used by Vinewood Christian School, are being refurbished and foundations are being completed.

A six-foot-tall, chain-link fence will be put up around the building, as a precaution to keep children out of the construction zone.

"Obviously there will be flexibility needed," Kirilov said. "That building will not affect our education plan to any great degree."

Students will eat lunch on plastic-coated picnic tables, under a shaded outdoor pavilion located next to a field to be used for PE classes and recess. When weather is bad, lunch would be served in two classrooms that will also be used by the music program. Evening meetings or assemblies will be held at nearby Lakewood Elementary. Administration staff will set up offices in one portable.

And though playground equipment won't be installed until late in the year, construction workers are putting in tetherball poles, working on basketball courts and finishing up the landscaping.

Contact Kendyce Manguchei at kendycem @lodinews.com.

First published: Wednesday, June 21, 2006