BY KYLE TROUTMAN

Cassville students started classes on Tuesday, and one thing will look different for primary and intermediate students in the first semester – recess.

Merlyn Johnson, Cassville superintendent, said due to supply chain issues, the playground renovations expected to be completed by September have been delayed.

“The equipment delivery had been delayed to mid-October due to supply chain issues, and we have to lay the rubber surface after that,” he said. “We knew they wouldn’t be done until after school started this year, but where we were looking at early to mid-September, we are now looking at late October or early November. The board and administration are disappointed we will not have playgrounds for students until then.”

In the meantime, Johnson said the district will use its other spaces available to give children the freedom to run and play.

“We have made some alterations to outside locations that students and teachers will be able to use for recess,” he said. “We have the football field, the track, the field house and multiple grassy areas. And, at the start of the school year it is so hot kids are not outside as much anyway.”

Johnson said items will be provided to students to help spur some physical activity.

“We will have more interactive options like kickball and other organized games like we used to do when we were kids,” he said.

The playground projects are part of the district’s 2019 Vision 150 bond issue, with $1.3 million going into the new facilities.