Tower Pinkster architects, contractor Triangle Construction and Maintenance Supervisor John Huyck last month reported that work on the new Wayland Middle School addition has been running behind because of recent severe weather.

Finance Director Pat Velie, however, said she is optimistic the work can be caught up because some of the contractors have been working Saturdays and bringing in extra manpower.

The addition was approved by voters in a November 2017 bond issue in an effort to ease overcrowding at Dorr, Steeby and Pine Street elementaries by making the middle school open to all sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.

Bid documents for other projects include some remodeling for the high school media center and bathrooms, paving of Wildcat Drive, improvements to the exterior of the stadium press box and work at Pine Street including fire protection, HVAC and elevator renovation.

In other recent school news, Cinnamon Mellema in January was elected president of the Wayland Board of Education, succeeding Gary Wood. Mellema, who was elected in 2016 and is serving her first four-year term, i teaching consultant with the Kent Intermediate School District, a graduate of Wayland High School, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a master of education degree in administration from Western Michigan University, as well as a master’s in special education from Grand Valley State University.