Signs warn people to stay out of the West Park Elementary School parking lot where temporary classrooms will be set up to help with overcrowding in the school. Jake Barber/Argonaut

West Park Elementary School Principal William Marineau said if there is one thing his school needs, it’s stability.
“It’s stability for parents, our teachers, our students,” he said. “It’s about having a feeling of safety and security.”
Marineau said this feeling of well-being is compromised when students go without a classroom or have to move repeatedly for class — both have been the case for West Park.
With a population of more than 300 students, classes have been conducted in the hallways, the library and at the University of Idaho. The school’s stage currently houses two classes.

West Park Elementary School Principal William Marineau said if there is one thing his school needs, it’s stability.
“It’s stability for parents, our teachers, our students,” he said. “It’s about having a feeling of safety and security.”
Marineau said this feeling of well-being is compromised when students go without a classroom or have to move repeatedly for class — both have been the case for West Park.

With a population of more than 300 students, classes have been conducted in the hallways, the library and at the University of Idaho. The school’s stage currently houses two classes.
“This isn’t unusual,” Marineau said.  “This is the case throughout the Moscow School District.”
According to Marineau, because this isn’t limited to West Park it will eventually need to be addressed as a district-wide issue. However, to help alleviate the strain, the school board approved the installment of a modular unit with two classrooms.

The modular cost more than $111,000 including the ramp. After insulation costs and other necessities, the final bill is expected to be more.
It was ordered last spring and arrived Monday. Marineau said the enrollment increase was expected and helped result in the new class space.
“We will continue to need space beyond what we have,” he said. “But this will definitely help.”

It will take steps before the units will be inhabitable in order to transform the space into a learning environment. Marineau said he is glad these steps are being taken.
In addition to the new building, the school is also in the process of building a new playground.
“We have some UI students who have volunteered to help out for Saturday of Service,” Marinueau said. “It will take a couple of weeks to complete because we’re putting it together one piece at a time.”

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