Matt Weir / The Collegian

The new University High School (UHS) building, which went under construction Aug. 3, is about 30 days behind schedule, said the school’s top administrator.

Ron Mehling, operations manager for Zumwalt Construction Inc., said that the delay in construction was due to a problem with receiving materials.

“What we’re trying to do is to get opened for the school year [fall 2010],” Mehling said.

The setback may push the project’s completion date, Oct. 10, 2010, further into the school year.

Mid-State Steel Erectors Inc. is handling the steel framework for the building – the phase the building is in now. General Manager Karl Nove said, other than rain delays, his crew is on schedule.

UHS Head of School James Bushman said the building will have 22 rooms including four science labs, three music rooms and an administration wing.

“Nothing overly remarkable, but having been in portables, this is a real step up for us,” he said.

UHS, a college prep charter school with an emphasis in music and the liberal arts and sciences, has been in portable buildings since its inception in 2000. Bushman said that this has always limited the students and faculty.

Bushman said that he plans to transition students into the new building as soon as completed.

“We are very excited that we are able to build a building that we dreamed of,” Bushman said.

UHS was approved for $18.7 million for the building from a state bond. The money was allocated strictly for the building’s construction and cannot be redirected.

“So, the irony is that we have budget cutbacks, just like [California State University, Fresno], even while we have all this money to build a school,” Bushman said.

The state bond requires UHS to pay half of the bond back over the next 30 years.