Atlantic Middle School (AMS) Principal Josh Rasmussen, Friday (today) sent to the local media (including KJAN), pictures of the damage caused by Tuesday’s fire and the copious amount of water used to fight the flames and save the building. Superintendent Steve Barber said the building will not be open for students when classes begin on August 23rd. Administrators are currently working through the process of placing students, but one thing is clear according to Barber: remote learning is not an option being considered.

Officials are weighing where to place the 330 students and 50 staff. Transportation, food service, technology, and maintenance will also be taken into consideration when they decide on where to house the displaced students. Mr. Barber says 80-85-percent of the building has minimal to severe damage, leaving about 15-percent of the building untouched. First Onsite Restoration arrived on scene Thursday morning, and by Monday, two crews of 30 working eight-hour shifts will be working inside the building. Restoration crews will heat the building to 100-degrees, along with de-humidifiers.