Storm damages multiple schools in NA-FC School Corp.

September 16, 2008 11:11 am

— The New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. suffered extensive damages at various schools because of the powerful wind storm Sunday, according to Dave Rarick, director of communications for the corporation.
Those damages include a roof that “blew off” New Albany High School’s gym and newly built walls at Floyd Central High School that collapsed, Rarick said. Other damages include a light pole that was knocked down at Mount Tabor Elementary and downed trees at almost all of the schools.
Rarick said the costs of the damages should be covered by insurance, once the deductible is met. He said no estimates have been made so far.
Damages, along with power outages, caused the corporation, along with the three in neighboring Clark County, to cancel school today. As of press time, Floyd Central, Highland Hills Middle, Galena Elementary, Georgetown Elementary, Greenville Elementary and Floyds Knobs Elementary schools all were without power.
Schools will continue to be closed until all have power and the roads are clear of debris for busses, according to Rarick.
Two big tests were to start this week statewide: ISTEP+ and the Graduation Qualifying Exam. With many counties in the same situation as Floyd, the Indiana Department of Education is making an exception for those who can’t have school because of power outages, flooding or other issues related to the recent storm.
“ISTEP+ is an essential measure of what Indiana students know and are able to do, but local schools should attend to the safety and well-being of their students, staff and families first and foremost,” said Suellen Reed, superintendent of public instruction. “ISTEP+ is a secondary concern under these circumstances, and any test administration conflicts will be addressed in due course.”
Reed said it was unclear exactly how many schools were affected by the recent weather problems, but the Indiana Department of Education is standing by to help local school corporations on a case-by-case basis.
As for ISTEP+, schools have a two-week window through Sept. 26 to administer the test. Reed said school corporations can decide when to have the test during that time without needing approval from the Department of Education.
Rarick said those dates for NA-FC have not been set.
“We will have a better idea of the timeline once we can return to school,” Rarick said in a press release.
As for the GQE, the answer isn’t as simple. That test was due to start today and go through Thursday. So, if schools start back on Wednesday, Reed said schools will administer the Wednesday section that day and have the regular testing that was set for Thursday. Students would make up today’s section on Friday.
However, if school is canceled Wednesday, testing will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
For updates on school closures, go to www.newsandtribune.com.

Photos

Sunday’s wind storm caused damage to an entrance at Floyd Central High School. staff photo by tara hettinger