BELLE — Maries County R-2 students began the school year inside the district’s new early childhood center Aug. 25 even as contractors continue working to complete several remaining portions of the project.

Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham told the Maries County R-2 Board of Education during its Aug. 25 meeting that the building was ready for students on the first day of school, although some construction remains unfinished.

“Early childhood building was very much full of joy,” Basham said. “Kids were so excited to be in there today.”

Basham said the district concentrated on having classrooms and common areas ready for students while contractors continue working on other portions of the facility.

“The playground will be installed in the next two weeks,” Basham said. “There’s one classroom that has not been finished. The office space has not been finished, but other than that, we really focused on making sure that the classrooms and the common space was ready for kids to stay.”

Basham said the contractor anticipated finishing most of the remaining work within approximately two weeks.

Several items were still awaiting completion at the time of the meeting, including an interior security door that was on back order and a window for the office that requires special glass.

The office window was expected to be installed the following week, Basham said.

Work also remained on portions of the center’s outdoor area.

Board members discussed previous plans for the playground area, including how much of the space would consist of playground surfacing compared with grass.

Basham said she had asked for a section between the playground and paved parking area to remain grass.

“I just thought it would be nice to have that,” Basham said.

Rather than installing sod, the district plans to seed the area and allow the grass to grow. Additional fencing will eventually be extended around that portion of the property.

Basham said playground installers were also expected to arrive the following week.

“We went ahead and have someone come in who’s going to install the playground,” Basham said. “Then it’ll become a certified playground rather than having our staff put it up.”

Board members also discussed holding an open house once construction is complete, which school officials say should be before the next board meeting.

Basham said she hopes the district’s Sept. 29 Board of Education meeting can be held at the early childhood center, with an open house taking place before the meeting.

Despite the remaining work, Basham described the center’s opening day as successful.

“It’s a great building,” Basham said. “It’s got great staff and great kids. So I’m incredibly grateful for this board’s support for that program.”