WATERLOO - Contractors are behind on construction of West High School's parking lot, but that won't get in the way of classes starting Thursday.

"We do expect it to be ready for the opening of the school (year) on the 20th," Waterloo Community Schools spokeswoman Sharon Miller said.

"The north entrance may be closed, but we should have plenty of parking," Miller said. "The bus lane should also be ready on Thursday. They've relocated the bus lane so that we don't have cars and buses using the same traffic lane."

When the Board of Education approved a $1.93 million bid by Peterson Contractors Inc. in May to reconstruct the lot, work was to be completed by today. Along with reconfiguring the lot along Baltimore Avenue, the project includes creating an underground water retention area. This will allow rain water to trickle more slowly into the storm sewer system.

Miller noted that the unfinished parking lot will affect a district-wide staff event Monday at West.

"It's not going to be ready for our opening day event on Monday with the staff, but we've made other arrangements and we'll be transporting staff from their buildings by bus over to West High," she said. "Staff are being asked to report to their building no later than 7:30 (a.m.) so that they can board a bus and go over to West. First Student is very generously providing that busing at no charge."