Northwest R-1 School District officials and staff members are scrambling to repair flash flooding damage before school starts next month.
The Northwest Board of Education approved a transfer of $500,000 from the district’s operational funds to the district’s capital improvements funds to pay for the repairs and renovations not covered by the district’s insurance carrier.
Some of the funds transferred for capital improvements will be used to mitigate future flooding problems, the district reported.
“Due to the timing of the storms and the large square footage of the damaged areas, the district is in an emergency state of repair for buildings that must be ready by the time school starts Aug. 19,” Superintendent Jennifer Hecktor told the school board on July 18 during a 20-minute presentation that included photos of the damage.
Mark Janiesch, the district’s chief operating officer, said Northwest officials don’t know exactly how much the repairs and renovations will cost yet.
“We know that current restorations will be in excess of $1 million, not including the $500,000 transfer,” he said.
The flash flooding occurred on July 8 from heavy rainfall in a short period due to Hurricane Beryl and again on July 16, causing extensive damage to Valley Middle School in House Springs, the nearby Northwest Administrative Center, a warehouse and a bus garage.
“We are working on more than 40,000 square feet,” Hecktor said. “This includes front classrooms in buildings one and two, the Encore hallway, ancillary gymnasium, middle school office and the administrative center first floor. Additional work will be done on the bus garage.
“The classrooms facing Gravois Road were affected from water that came in through the doors and quickly spread. Water came in through ground-level windows in the principal’s office. The end-of-school floor waxing was underway, so fortunately things were off the floor and out of the way.
“The ancillary gymnasium had 4 to 5 inches of water from Bear Creek behind the school, damaging equipment and a wall that needs to be replaced. Water was almost to the door handles of the first floor of the administrative center. The warehouse had 3 feet of water, destroying paper products and supplies stored there.”
The insurance provider, Missouri United School Insurance Council, is covering the replacement of damaged drywall, flooring and items that cannot be restored, as well as the rebuilding of affected areas, which includes removing exposed asbestos in flooded areas.
First Onsite, a national restoration company with an office in Maryland Heights, has been hired to manage the restoration process.
The district’s usually quiet month of July has turned into an ongoing 24-hour restoration effort to replace drywall and flooring in the affected areas.
“The timeline has a drop-dead deadline of Aug. 9 to finish the work before teachers return to school Aug. 12,” Hecktor said.
She said she does not expect all the flood damage repairs to be completed by then. However floors will be cleaned and washed by the first day of school.
“Insurance is covering the replacement of damaged items, but it is not covering things that need fixed,” Hecktor said. “We are using this opportunity for the district to supplement insurance coverage and make needed improvements while the flooring and walls are exposed. This will prevent future labor costs and timing issues if they are handled in conjunction with the recovery work.”
The flash floods not only caused the usual flooding over Gravois Road that occurs with a heavy rainfall, but also Bear Creek behind the school overflowed. The creek had not been that high in about 16 years, Hecktor said.
In both floods, the water came up quickly and receded quickly.
“The creek had a great deal of debris in it from the previous flood, and we suspect that a complete creek cleaning of debris would help alleviate future rising water,” said communications coordinator Chuck McPherson. “The water reached the administrative center and warehouse again on July 16, but not to the level of the July 8 flood.”
“We are working with the Army Corps of Engineers and county officials to find a solution to ensure this does not happen again,” Hecktor said.
The flooding has displaced some year-round Northwest employees who work at the administrative center.
“The first floor of the administrative building was heavily affected and will need flooring, drywall and furniture replacement,” Hecktor said. “Employees worked from home during the week of July 8, as there was no access to technology, phones or work stations.
“All staff returned to working from campus on July 15. The human resources, technology and communications offices have been temporarily relocated upstairs. Our curriculum and instruction team has temporarily relocated to the Early Childhood Center.”
“The priority is our kids and families,” Hecktor said.
“It has been really heartwarming the people who have gone the extra mile,” she said. “The custodial and maintenance staff have been tremendous, as have the alumni who came to help. Facilities director Kasey Schaffer has done a nice job on a huge project.”