After two days of assessing and re-assessing water damage from the elementary school flooding the weekend of Feb. 4-5, Community School District trustees heard administrators’ initial plans Feb. 7. Boothbay Region Elementary School Principal Shawna Kurr said the school would be closed Feb. 6-10. On Feb. 13, pre-kindergarten to fifth grade would resume classes in the high school, and grades six through eight would attend class in Boothbay Region YMCA. 

High school students would have Zoom classes until a location for in-person learning became available. “We are making plans for every scenario,” Kurr said. “As more information becomes available, those plans are sure to change. It is all happening so quickly, we have new information every two to four hours.”

Trustee Chairman Steve Lorrain updated members on damage created by a frozen kitchen water pipe which burst. The kitchen was flooded as was a significant portion of the nearby cafeteria. A  sprinkler leak flooded several classrooms. Lorrain reported a cleanup crew had made significant progress in the previous three days. “From what we first saw in the building until now is totally astounding. The custodial and maintenance crew has worked tirelessly, and it’s very much appreciated,” he said.

Once the cleanup is finished, administrators will assess the total damage and begin planning to refurbish the school for in-person learning. Residents asked Superintendent Bob Kahler about how much damage the insurance would cover, and if the state had a program to help schools damaged by a natural disaster. 

“It’s too soon to say about our insurance. What I’ve learned is never assume anything, and I literally got our adjustor’s name and claim number today,” Kahler said. He added, school officials were waiting for mold and air quality tests scheduled for Feb. 9. The next step is removing sheetrock and waiting for the remains to dry out. “We should have a better understanding of the overall damage after that is done. We all share the same goal in returning to in-person learning. We don't have all the answers, and we aren’t sure if those answers will come quickly,” he said. 

On Feb. 9 and 10, school officials were set to begin moving furniture and learning materials from the elementary to the high school. Kahler said he had spoken to community members and other school districts about contingency plans for the high school population. “We’ve received  offers of help from our own high school students, community members and other districts. As more information becomes available, we will better be able to make a decision,” he said.  

Part of the cleanup process is drying everything out. Besides a water-logged kitchen, rug and floor tile removal are major parts of the cleanup. School officials also need to assess damage to walls as part of the overall planning process. 

Trustees meet next at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 14.