Certainly we'd have liked to do [the move] earlier ... but we've been told by our sources on the ground that the general feeling is that a lot of people are excited about moving into an excellent new facility in October."
In March the Pen reported that the project was on target for completion in August.
At the time, Assistant Director of Education, Allan Skanes, said Labrador Straits Academy was being built to replace three "aging" schools in the district - Mountain Feild Academy, St Paul's Elementary and Our Lady of Labrador.
Following the merger of the Northern Peninsula and Labrador, Western and Appalachian school boards in 2005 to create the Western School Board, the Department of Education decided to look at long term education and the capital and planning needs within the new school district.
"The three aging schools were in need of extensive repair and it was decided by all the information gathered that a new school should be built," Mr Skanes said at the time.
"Declining enrollment, declining birth rate, weather conditions and busing students were all deciding factors of building and choosing the site for the new school. Most importantly is the safety of our students.
"We feel we can provide better education opportunities for all students in a modern, excellent facility."
Responding to questions on why Labrador Straits Academy was not finished, Dr Elliott said delays were not uncommon when it came to projects the size of the new school, which is set to include a gymnasium, fitness room, wired technology in each classroom and a skilled trades and technology suite.
"We're anticipating and we're hopeful that it will be complete by mid-October, and certainly from the best estimation of our consultants who are working on this, October is a reasonable time line of the school's completion," he said.
All but one family have been notified of the change in plans by email and Dr Elliott expects things to run smoothly.
"The students at Mountain Feild Academy will be grouped the exact way they will be in the new school, which will ensure a smooth transition to the new building," he said.
"I would like to say a special word of appreciation to teachers who in this case will have to unpack twice ... and obviously none of this could've occurred without the tremendous work of our support staff."
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