It is still unknown when or if some school buildings damaged in the eastern Kentucky flooding will open. That’s the latest update from Jason Glass, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education.
Glass said some buildings may just need professional cleaning, while others took on structural damage and will be closed for an extended period of time.
Glass said not every building has been inspected, but some early repair estimates are in.
“In some places, we're seeing damages that may be in the hundreds of 1000s to low millions, that are removing mud, straightening out parking lots, replacing some damaged furniture, replacing areas where mold may be growing,” said Glass.
Commissioner Glass said in other places electrical and ventilation systems were damaged, further increasing the total cost of repairs.
The public education leader says school districts in the flood damaged areas don’t want to have to implement remote learning again.
“They want their kids back in school, and they're working really hard to do that. So that's what I see happening, coming out of our superintendents and school leaders in Eastern Kentucky is just a lot of energy around we got to get school open. We got to take care of these kids and families,” said Glass.
School leaders have been working to create plans to get students into in person instruction. Glass said in some cases, students are being bussed to other schools and buildings that can accommodate classroom instruction.
