Students in the Delta School District will return to class Monday after more than a week of cleanup from a fire in the high school office Aug. 13.

"I appreciate all the patience of our staff and parents throughout the district," superintendent Nate Crowden said Saturday. "Everyone's looking forward to getting back in session."

Parents in the district should be receiving a call from an automated calling system notifying them that students should return to school Monday, Crowden said.

Students started the new school year Aug. 12, but following the fire the next morning, classes were canceled for six school days.

The school's maintenance crew worked through the weekend to get the school cleaned up and ready for students to return, Crowden said.

Insulation and ceiling tile throughout 80 percent of the high school building were replaced during the past week.

"There's still a faint odor, and there probably will be until the office area is completely renovated," Crowden said. "But it's a lot better than what it was."

The office area, where the fire started, has been cleaned out, but repairs there will take another three to four weeks, Crowden said.

In the meantime, the office staff will relocate to the superintendent's office on the north end of the building, he said.

The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate the fire, which was determined to be arson by the state fire marshal. Cash for student activities also was taken from a classroom.

Anyone with information about the arson are asked to call the sheriff's department at 243-3551 or the state fire marshal's arson hot line at 1-800-392-7766.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

324 N. Liberty St., Delta, MO