Ridge Street Elementary reopened Tuesday, but it’s still unclear if their superintendent is returning from paid leave or if there’s enough money to finish construction at the site. The state Education Department shut down the school on Sept. 15 after an inspection found serious fire and safety hazards. Most students did remote learning for 12 days. The board placed Superintendent Patrick Brimstein on a paid leave of absence about two weeks ago.

The building issues stem from an ongoing construction project since 2019. The board announced Tuesday night they’re already over budget, and they need about $5 million more, money they’ll need the community’s approval for.

During Tuesday night's school board meeting, parent Tracy Levy said, “you guys have to realize that there’s unfairness in asking all of us to just blindly trust again and give more money when it seems like everything has gone wrong in the first place.”

The state has deemed 24 classrooms safe to use, and five classes to be held in other areas, like the gym. 

The school board says its priority is completing the construction in order to open up the school - hopefully by Thanksgiving. For now, longtime employee Dr. Colin Byrne is acting superintendent indefinitely.