The Vicksburg Warren School District’s Board of Trustees, during an emergency meeting Wednesday, voted to delay the start of school, moving the start date for in-person and distance learning to Aug. 17.

The move comes just less than a week after the district voted to move ahead with the scheduled start of school that was originally set for Friday.

The decision gives the district more time to coordinate the delivery of additional personal protective equipment and allows contractors more time to get work sites at schools ready to welcome students.

Superintendent Chad Shealy said his recommendation for the delay, came in part from delivery issues the school district has had in getting personal protection equipment, and an inability by the district’s custodial vendor to staff up in time to ensure classrooms and buildings are up to enhanced cleaning standards.

One of the PPE items, the district has struggled to get on hand before the scheduled start of school are the touch-free thermometers to meet the guidelines outlined in each of the school’s reopening plans in the district. Also, a delivery of one-use facemasks was not scheduled to arrive until Thursday and another set for Aug. 11, which Shealy said was just too close for comfort.

Under the new schedule, students would return to the classroom — either in-person or digitally — on Aug. 17, with teachers and staff returning to work Aug. 13.

It would also remove two four-day weekends from the school calendar. Students would remain in school on Oct. 9 and Oct. 12, and Feb. 12 and Feb. 15.