SACO — Saco Pre-Kindergarten students at the First Parish Church location will be staring school today, a day late, as classes were delayed to accommodate necessary approval from the State Fire Marshal’s office.

On July 1, the School Department signed a 10-year lease for a former day care building on 5 Willey Road to house its newly expanded Pre-K program.

The city ordered the school department to move its Pre-K operations out of the building, as city officials stated federal covenants in the business park where 5 Willey Road is located prevented the building from being used as a public school.

A few weeks ago, the school department announced it had signed a one-year lease with First Parish Congregational Church UCC for three classrooms and an additional room for the Pre-K program. Pre-K classes are also being held in two classrooms at the city’s community center at 75 Franklin St. and two classrooms at Young School at 75 Tasker St.

Pre-K classes began on Thursday as scheduled at the Young School and Franklin Street locations.

On Wednesday afternoon, parents of students attending Pre-K at First Parish Church at 12 Beach St. received an email from Director of Curriculum and Instruction Julie Smyth stating that the school department was waiting on the necessary approval from the State Fire Marshal’s Office for the First Parish site and classes at this location might not begin until Monday.

Saco Superintendent of Schools Dominic DePatsy sent a notice to parents on Thursday that classes would be starting the next day.

“We worked extremely hard to alleviate the issues and actually drove to Augusta to make this happen,” said DePatsy.

DePatsy thanked parents for their support and patience.

“I completely understand that this has not been an easy situation for you,” he said.

DePatsy said the school department is ordering playground equipment that is appropriate for preschool-age students that will be installed at C.K. Burns that the Pre-K students can use. Burns is located across the street from First Parish Congregational Church.

“If you have any further questions feel free to come into my office and meet with me personally as my door is always open,” DePatsy said to parents. “I know you will all have a wonderful experience in our amazing preschool program with our incredible staff.”

With a one-year plan in place for Pre-K, the school department is appealing the city’s order to move Pre-K operations out of 5 Willey Road. The appeal will be heard by the City Council on Sept. 16.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.