By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

CALERA – While Shelby County Board of Education officials previously hoped to complete the new Calera Middle School facility to students by Oct. 15, the opening has been delayed until after Thanksgiving.

“The delays were caused by poor weather conditions and unforeseeable delays in road construction and utilities,” said BOE spokesperson Cindy Warner.

Warner said the 102,000-square-foot school’s anticipated completion date is Nov. 7, and teachers and staff will move in as soon as the building is ready.

The BOE hopes to begin classes Nov. 26, the Monday after Thanksgiving break.

The new middle school, which was built on the former Shelby Academy location, will host sixth to eighth grades. The current Calera Middle School will become Calera Intermediate school, eventually housing third through fifth grades. Previous reports stated third grade would remain at Calera Elementary School to complete the 2012-2013 school year, then move to Calera Intermediate the following fall.

The new middle school, located off Shelby County 22, will accommodate about 850 students.

“This decision to delay and open now was the general consensus of builder, architect, local school principals and board of education officials,” Warner said. “It will work out best for all parties involved.”