ADAMS TWP — The renovation and expansion of the administrative offices for the Mars School District is behind schedule.

John Hayes, Thomas & Williamson construction manager, told the school board Thursday that the project, which includes new flooring for the break room, metal siding, drywall, a centralized computer and technology system, and an uninterruptible power supply system, is about 10 days behind schedule.

However, the project is anticipated to be completed by the first day of school, Aug. 31.

“It’s not going to affect any (school) programs,” Hayes said. “It doesn’t matter if it rains or snows; come the first day of school, there will be nothing impeding the parent drop-off at all.”

Contributing factors to the project’s delay have been issues with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, bad weather, and issues with the power supply system.

School board members expressed concern over the project’s delays.

“We’re kind of stuck right now,” said school board President Dayle Ferguson. “Our deadline is not flexible. Teachers and students are coming, and there is an expectation that it will be able to be operational.”

Hayes responded, “We’re well aware of that.”

The school district is currently without its e-mail and Internet services for staff members while service by Armstrong is being done. However, the district’s phone system is operational and the outage will not affect any scheduled district or school events.

Despite the delays, Hayes said the school district is “well under budget” for the project.

The centralized technology portion of the project was made possible after the school district sold the former Middlesex Elementary School, which housed the district’s special education and pupil services departments.

“We’re very confident that this will be done in time,” superintendent Wesley Shipley said of the project.