Like a lot of other school districts, the expansion of all-day kindergarten prompted the Anoka-Hennepin school district to build new classroom space at six elementary schools.

Those new classrooms were ready for the first day of school last week, but district officials say it took a Herculean effort to wrap up the construction.

Crews were thwarted by the lingering winter and soggy summer start. Consequently, construction at some of the schools bumped up against the start of the new school year.

"The work that was accomplished while most people were enjoying a relaxing Labor Day weekend was remarkable," said Chuck Holden, the district's chief operations officer.

At Sand Creek Elementary, school staffers were helping install ceiling tiles, sweeping the floors and throwing away construction trash just hours before Open House night kicked off at the school on Aug. 27.

At other schools, work was going on over Labor Day weekend. It included: window, carpet and ceiling tile installation, laying asphalt in parking lots, phone installation, and furniture delivery.

And, district officials said, everyone pitched in to help clean.

"I think it is inspiring that such a diverse group of people, inside Anoka-Hennepin and outside, are so committed to the education and safety of our children that there is no hesitation to do whatever it takes to get the job done," Holden said.