United Group Insurance

Red Oak Middle School damage worse than expected

News

September 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

An electrical inspector with the State of Iowa has determined the Red Oak Middle School is unsafe to occupy, following a water leak over the Labor Day weekend that left as much as two-inches of water on the second floor of the more than 100-year old structure. As a result of the inspection, the school will remain closed indefinitely, or until electrical repairs are completed. The Daily NonPareil said water leaked into electrical conduits, creating a safety hazard. Insurance is expected to pay for the repairs. The leak, which was detected after an alarm was triggered, was accidental, according to Superintendent Terry Schmidt.

Schmidt said he expects work will take at least 10 to 14 days but repairs have to bring the building up to code, which creates significant variables depending on how much damage is found. Middle school students were given Tuesday and Wednesday off class as the district strived to reopen the building. Restoration was nearly finished on Tuesday afternoon when work was called off after the electrical concerns were uncovered. The bulk of the damage was to the building’s drywall.

Red Oak Middle School students will return to class Monday for an orientation at Red Oak Community High School, while high-schoolers will have the day off and high school staff will have an in-service day. The middle-schoolers will then hold classes at the adjacent Red Oak Technology Center, with a few shared classrooms in the high school building.

Schmidt said classes will be squeezed into spaces that weren’t being used all day. The Technology Center used to have higher occupancy, leaving leftover space that is available immediately. Being able to make everything work – even if it’s not ideal, he said – was one positive outcome from the experience. At this point, it’s unknown whether the middle school students will need to make up any days at the end of the year. Red Oak took advantage of a change in state law last year to adopt an hours-based calendar, instead of a traditional days-based calendar, which Schmidt said offers some flexibility.

Students who attend Red Oak Middle School should report to the high school auditorium at 8:08 a.m. Monday. All students will be in class the following Tuesday. Practices for volleyball and football, meanwhile, will resume this Thursday at regular locations beginning at 3:45 p.m.

An announcement about supplies, computers and other equipment needs will be made today (Thursday). All middle school staff will report today for directions and assignments, including their duties for Friday.