William E. Fanning Elementary in Brea was expected to reopen in the fall. For the past several months, parents have been picking students up across town at Laurel Elementary School.
"I have to do double-duty, drop off, pickup. It's been difficult for all of the parents," said parent Tina Beck.
Seven months ago, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake shook loose asbestos and damaged portions of Fanning's campus. Soon after, gates went up, and students in the second through sixth grade were transferred to Laurel while clean up took place. But parents' frustrations grew as weeks turned into months.
"Of course it is disappointing. We were hoping that it would be a lot sooner than this, but (there's) not a lot we can do about it," said parent Tracy Manson.
Last week the school board rejected a contract parents say would have allowed reconstruction to begin, which further angered parents. Brea Olinda Superintendent Skip Roland says the contract needed to be more financially sound.
"Because of the asbestos abatement work that was done first, there was much more demolition to the interior of the structure than we anticipated," Roland said.
It's not only taking more time, but also more money.
"We fully anticipated this was going to be a $1.5 million project and would be done in approximately three months. Well it turned out to be a $2.6 million abatement contract and a $3 million reconstruction contract," Roland said.
Roland says the new contract he plans to present tonight could get students back to Fanning in six months.
For now - the two elementary schools will continue to under the same roof.