Construction is under way at Peterson Elementary School in Kalispell as workers excavate for footings and the foundation for four new classrooms, a small kitchen and a multipurpose room.

Last Thursday, basketball courts, part of a field and two exterior exits southeast of the school building were fenced off; excavation began Monday.

“We had to use that access off the alley to the east of the building to move construction equipment in and out of the site,” Peterson Principal Rick Anfenson said.

The alleyway on the east and south side of the building will be accessible for student pick-up and drop-off and Anfenson urges drivers to use caution around the construction site.

Mornings are not as hectic as after school when the dismissal bell rings, Anfenson said. The peak time for student and traffic congestion is usually between 3:20 and 3:45 p.m.

“We’re very busy at Peterson after school, but our parents have been very patient working with us on this,” Anfenson said.

He noted that construction crews have been flexible in accommodating the school’s needs.

“The main part of their work they’re trying to do outside of the peak hours of dropping and picking kids up,” Anfenson said.

He noted that on Tuesday, that crews also delayed tearing down an entrance overhang while students took state tests.

“They’ve been great to work with,” Anfenson said.

But crews do have to work during the day and it has shaken things up a little, particularly for one classroom and the library located closest to construction.

“A Smart Board was shaken yesterday as they were working,” Anfenson said. “The ground has rumbled.”

For now, he said there is minimal disturbance during the school day.

“We know it’s in the best interest for students in the long run,” Anfenson said.

Visitor parking should not be affected, but Anfenson said staffers should use caution in their designated parking lot in front of the school because more students will be using it as a walkway due to the closed exits behind the school.

The Peterson addition is part of a $3.35 million project that includes a four-classroom addition to Edgerton Elementary and construction of a new central kitchen near Kalispell Middle School.

Excavation at Edgerton is slated to begin March 29. Additions are going on the south and west sides on the back of the building.

Parking, student pick-up and drop-off should not be affected during construction, according to Edgerton Principal Merisa Murray. Construction, however, will affect where students exit, line up and play at recess during the school day.

“We’ll go through and model where they are going to enter and exit before spring break, so they know what the expectations are when they return,” Murray said. Spring break for Kalispell Public Schools is April 1 through 7.

Although construction will occur throughout the day, Murray noted that during recess, construction crews will be careful not to drive trucks or heavy machinery on the playground.

Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Darlene Schottle said both projects are on target to meet an August deadline.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].