Back-to-school time is right around the corner and many education facilities are prepping to welcome students back to the building. However, historic flooding in Milwaukee earlier this month damaged 24 schools, leading the city to rush to make repairs before the start of the school year.
According to the Milwaukee Journal, 22 schools experienced minor damages, while Riverside University High School and the Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education sustained more serious damages. Community members were notified that 10 classrooms were unusable at Riverside and that students would need to be relocated. The school, which is located near the Milwaukee River, sustained water damage on the ground level. Damage to the Barack Obama SCTE was limited to the boiler room.
The district plans to monitor affected schools for lasting impacts from moisture. According to a flood assessment notice, 12 schools were selected to remove asbestos tiling due to the age of the building. Indoor air quality in the affected schools will also be tested before students return on Sept. 2. It is anticipated that repairs will be finished by the start of school.
Schools impacted by the flooding include:
It is unclear how much damage the district sustained during the floods. According to the Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee Public Schools plan to seek emergency relief funds in response to the floods. At the time of publication, insurance documents are still being collected and submitted.
MPS has already been in the crossfire as the district undergoes a lead crisis in its facilities.
Earlier this year, four students were diagnosed with lead poisoning. Officials traced the lead exposure back to seven schools within the city. According to a report done by the city, lead dust levels on windowsills at one school was more than 14 times than the allowable standards. Dust levels on the ground floor were more than six times the standard, meaning that all floors were considered hazardous.
According to 620 WTMJ, MPS has completed work in half of the schools needing lead abatement and is anticipating to finish all 106 schools by the end of the school year.
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor of the facilities market and the host of the Facilities in Focus podcast.
