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UNION TWP. — Northwest Area School District officials have firmed up plans for the start of school — at least for most students.

High School Principal Ryan Miner said notice has been sent out that the first day of classes, originally set for Monday, will now be Sept. 5 for the district’s primary and intermediate schools.

The calendar for the middle/high school, however, remained uncertain as of Thursday afternoon. Several classrooms were damaged by fire Aug. 18, and the scope of work needed is still being determined. Miner said structural engineers are supposed to visit Friday.

“We are hoping to start everyone together, but we don’t know if that’s possible yet,” Miner said.

Insurance and fire inspectors were in the school earlier this week. The fire prompted a response from about 75 firefighters and more than 20 vehicles around 3 p.m. last Saturday. Two second-floor classrooms were damaged substantially and the rest of the school sustained smoke and water damage, officials say.

Smoke billows from Northwest Area Middle/High School in Union Township as firefighters work to vent the roof near the building’s office entrance off Cope Road on Saturday afternoon.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_TTL081918NorthwestFire_2-5.jpg.optimal.jpgSmoke billows from Northwest Area Middle/High School in Union Township as firefighters work to vent the roof near the building’s office entrance off Cope Road on Saturday afternoon. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
Status of middle/high school still uncertain

By Mark Guydish

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Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish