NEW PARIS — National Trail Local School officials are working on replacing the district’s old HVAC system, but this program has displaced the cafeteria staff and some teachers.

During the NTLSD Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 25, Food Service Supervisor Dorothy Frist and Facilities Director Brian Smith discussed the ongoing project, stating the current deadline for completion is Oct. 8.

Smith shared, the project is slightly behind due to material delays. All the materials are now on site, so it is simply a matter of finishing up. Rain has also caused delays, as construction crews had to remove part of the roof.

Cafeteria staff has been displaced to the commons area, with frequent trips for supplies.

“Things are going good out in the commons, I just don’t want to do it all the time. I’m ready to be back in the kitchen. The ladies are not complaining, but they are getting really tired. I bet we make 50 trips a day, no exaggeration, back and forth from the cafeteria to the commons,” Frist said. “They are working well together. There are 12 of us in one kitchen, we are running into each other, but they are doing well.”

Eric Kennel and Carmen Kennel are also displaced from their classrooms.

To make up time, the crew is also working Saturdays now. If they remain on schedule, there will be “significant completion” by the end of September or beginning of October, according to reports. At this point, the project is also under budget.

Smith added, he hopes for the project to be completed soon, but he wants it to be completed successfully.

“I don’t want to rush, because I want to do a good job and make this thing last for 50 years,” Smith said. “I hope there are not any other delays. We are expecting storms tonight and it just moves things back.”

Once the project is complete, the kitchen will be thoroughly cleaned to prepare for staff to move back in.