MISSOULA – Missoula County Public Schools leaders say the new Jeanette Rankin Elementary School will open in just over two weeks.
However, the move from Cold Springs is happening quickly, and any formal opening will be delayed until teachers and students are settled in the new building.
MCPS Superintendent Mark Thane told MTN News that the last day of classes will be Wednesday, November 7 at Cold Springs Elementary — the building that’s being replaced with Rankin Elementary, which is the only entirely new school being constructed under the Smart Schools 2020 bond.
Thane says the November 7 target for closing Cold Springs will allow teachers and staff to take advantage of the two-day window for parent-teacher conferences on that Thursday and Friday.
With students out of class, teachers will spend Thursday putting the finishing touches on their new rooms. Then, the first classes will be held at Rankin Elementary on Monday, November 12.
Contractors are working hard now to get the new building wrapped up.
Thane says because of the tight turn-around, the school won’t have a formal ribbon cutting or open house right away, but will plan to have after classes are running at Rankin.
