After ministry officials and the board of trustees met this week, the ministry told the Otago Daily Times the plan was to provide four "teaching spaces" on the Remarkables site in Frankton, the first two units to be ready by February 1 next year, while the other two units would be open on or before the start of term three next year.
The units would be modernised to meet ministry, Queenstown Lakes District Council and Queenstown Airport requirements for insulation, noise abatement, double glazing, heating and lighting, the ministry said.
There would be a classroom in each unit and space for toilets and a multipurpose "breakout" space. Which year group would be taught in the units was to be decided based on numbers.
Board chairwoman Fiona Woodham said yesterday the relocatable classrooms option was "not ideal" because trustees wanted a permanent solution. However, it was financed.
"Ultimately, we still believe, despite a new school coming, our figures are showing we will be at least 520 to 530 [by mid-2014] and, with the growth we have experienced in the region, we believe we will continue to be over that 500 number for some years to come.
"In the short term, we've been left with no option but to go with the relocatables, so at least we know our children will have somewhere to learn, and the board is there, above all else, to ensure we provide for the education of our children in a safe and warm and inviting environment. And these relocatables, we are assured, will be fitted out to a good standard."
The Remarkables board had earlier told the ministry it and most of the school community did not accept the ministry's proposal to annex two empty classrooms in nearby KingsView School for Remarkables pupils.
The board's idea to use the existing early childhood centre on the school grounds for Remarkables pupils caused unease among centre staff and families and was described by the ministry yesterday as "not appropriate".
The ministry said there was a long-term plan to provide additional primary school capacity in the Wakatipu basin in the next five years, which would reduce the projected numbers attending Remarkables Primary School.
"Therefore, the most appropriate use of taxpayers' funds is to provide additional temporary rather than more costly permanent capacity at Remarkables school."
Remarkables Primary School had 461 enrolled pupils as of yesterday and expected eight more pupils to join by the end of the term, on September 28. The school's designated capacity is 460.
