Students in Peach County will go back to school Tuesday, three weeks later than planned so work can be finished on $8 million in heating and air improvements systemwide.

The system is also set to return to a five-day week after trying a four-day week for the past three years to save money.

School Board Chairman Jamie Johnson said a few parents have complained about the pushed back start date, but most have said they like starting school after Labor Day.

“A lot of the community has given us kudos for it and want us to consider it for next year,” Johnson said. “We will look at the positives of that.”

Transitioning back to a five-day week has not been a major issue, he said.

“I think the adjustment going back to five days has been a better adjustment than going to four days,” he said. “It really hasn’t been a big hassle as far as going back to the five day.”

An open house is planned for Thursday at all schools from 4-6 p.m. A kickoff event for staff members will be held at Fort Valley State University earlier in the day.

Johnson said all of the heating and air work will be finished when the schools open. He remembered going into the schools on the first day last year and noticing how hot it was.

He said students and teachers should notice a big difference when they come back this year.

“I think it’s going to be a lot more comfortable,” he said. “Last year we had a whole wing we pretty much had to shut down because it was unbearable.”

The work led to the delay of school because otherwise it would have cost $75,000 to get the project completed in time for the original Aug. 13 start date.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.