Country Club Hills schools start delayed until Monday

COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, Ill. (WLS) -- Schools in south suburban Country Club Hills had their first day delayed until Monday after the Illinois Department of Public Health issued an emergency order to stop construction work in three classrooms.

As middle schoolers hit the practice field in a Country Club Hills park Wednesday, they should have been talking about how the first day of school went.

"I really wanted to go to school today," said Tiera Ford, student.

But day one in District 160 has been delayed until Monday.

"They sent a message, the reason why they're starting late is because there's construction work being done at two of the schools," said Lorene Pugh, grandmother of student.

Signs posted on the school's doors echoed a robocall made to parents Tuesday explaining schools had undergone summer construction projects like new air conditioning, lockers, bathroom renovations and roof replacements.

In a statement, the district said in part, "In the completion of one of the projects, an air testing process was unexpectedly delayed."

"I think it's something they probably knew before yesterday," said Casandra Evans, parent of student.

The Illinois Department of Public Health told ABC7, "We were at the school Monday and issued an emergency stop work order for three classrooms. The school is abating the problem and as soon as IDPH receives clearance documentation, we will release the three classrooms back to the school distict."

"Delay is better, definitely, because my daughter has asthma, I definitely don't want her to be in there with something airborne," said Brandye Miller.

The last minute lurch left some parents and student scrambling to fill a few unexpected days of summer.