School district officials expect Federal Way High School to open in October due to construction delays that have pushed the project back six weeks.

A general contractor with Spee West Construction, the company working on the $65.5 million project, had “difficulties obtaining timely performance” from some of its subcontractors, specifically in the delivery of materials, Federal Way Public Schools officials said.

While the construction delays won’t affect the project’s budget, students will have to learn where they did last year – in existing buildings and a “temporary portable village.”

But that will change come Oct. 17, the school’s tentative opening date.

“Although this six-week delay in opening the school is not ideal, moving into the new building at the right time is important to ensure safety and a seamless transition for our student-scholars and staff to orient themselves into the new learning environment,” said Superintendent Dr. Tammy Campbell in an announcement. “It is important we open the building in a manner that allows the necessary time for our scholars and staff to move in, and for our community to experience the modernized learning environments our scholars will experience.”

Those modernized learning environments will include interactive boards from Smart Technologies in classrooms that take the place of traditional projectors. The boards are described as a 65-inch TV panel that allow students and teachers to write virtually.

“The modern, flexible learning spaces in some of the classrooms will focus on STEM-related career fields, including our Career and Technical Education’s state-of-the-art engineering and manufacturing program,” district spokeswoman Kassie Swenson said. “This program will provide design-building training using industry-demand equipment such as Computer Numerical Control machines, water jet cutters, CAD design software, 3D printers and wind tunnels. Our scholars will be able to develop the skills and experience needed to pursue emerging high wage, high demand positions in various STEM careers.”

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

After students move into the new building, the old campus will be demolished. Construction crews are then tasked with turning the northern half of the building into gymnasiums, food services facilities and a new theater.

Students and teachers will use the existing gymnasium and food services areas while the next phase is under construction. The new theater is expected to open during the second semester of the 2016-17 school year, officials said.

The project is funded by the 2012 capital levy, funds from the state School Construction Assistance Program, and the balance from a previous bond measure that came in under budget. By using those three funds, district officials say the project will be paid for by the time it is completed.

“As seen in the passage of the 2012 capital levy and recent replacement technology levy, our voters believe in building community through their support in schools, preparing each of our scholars for college and career pathways,” Campbell said. “We are looking forward to inviting our community to experience our new high school in an upcoming tour this fall.”

The district will announce tour dates for Federal Way High School “in the near future.”

The original Federal Way High School was built in 1938 and underwent 12 major additions and remodels between then and 2002. Old brick from the school’s original entrance will be available to those who want one for a keepsake. Bricks can be reserved by contacting the Communications Department at 253-945-2264 or online at http://ow.ly/4mI1UN. The deadline is Nov. 1.

“We look forward to inviting our community to tour the new Federal Way High School when the building opens,” Swenson said, “and would like to thank our community for their support of building our future – our scholars.”