Inspecting at the Last Minute

Representatives of the fire marshal and building department are expected at Newtown High School on Tuesday for final inspections of a key stairway before the go-ahead can be given for the school's expected opening on Wednesday, officials said.

The inspectors were at the high school Monday but because workers were still installing doors and emergency lights in the stairwell, the inspection could not occur.

Building Official John Poeltl said he and the fire marshal will be back on Tuesday.

"It's just some finishing touches they have to put on it – nothing major," he said.

The stairwell, which is located by the old gym, was enlarged as part of the construction process and provides a crucial path of egress in case of emergencies for students and staff in the building, officials said.

"That's the main issue for us," Poeltl said.

School officials said that they will keep parents and students apprised of the building's status through the principal's blog and Connect-Ed. All other schools in the district are scheduled to open on time for the start of classes on Wednesday.

Construction of the high school's new addition has been delayed for weeks now, and even if classes were to begin on time, students and teachers wouldn't have access to the new areas for another couple of months, officials have said.

During the past couple of weeks, workers and school officials have been scrambling to put the finishing touches on existing building near the construction zone so that classes could still proceed.

Paving crews were working Monday on the school's new driveway, which also must be ready for the start of school. By the end of the day, the driveway appeared to have been finished.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to indicate that driveway to Newtown High School appeared completed by Monday evening.