POLAND, Ohio - Poland Local Schools have delayed their start of the school year to next Thursday, August 26th.

Kids were originally supposed to head back Monday but the Board voted to push back the first day of school to finish several construction projects slated to be completed this Friday.

While construction is on schedule, more time is needed for construction cleanup and for teachers to prepare their classrooms.

The superintendent says this will give everyone more time to prepare for the school year.

"EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE DONE FRIDAY BUT WE WON'T GAIN OCCUPANCY UNTIL FRIDAY AFTERNOON WHICH GIVES OUR TEACHERS AND OUR STAFF LITERALLY ZERO OPPORTUNITY TO GET INTO THE CLASSROOM TO GET SET UP," said Superintendent Craig hockenberry.

All events scheduled before school starts will be rescheduled as well.