For the first time in a week, the Poland Community School (PCS) was able to welcome back students after the school experienced water damage.Regional School Unit 16 officials first announced on the morning of April 6 that classes were canceled due to a “water event” that happened over the preceding weekend.RSU 16 Superintendent Amy Hediger said a “water issue” originated in the second-floor custodial closet. Hediger said the issue caused minimal damage to the second floor, primarily limited to some pooling in a few spaces, but it affected approximately 35 spaces on the first floor below.Hediger said the flow of water between floors caused damage to ceiling tiles, walls, flooring and belongings. The school’s elevator system was also impacted by water that had entered the elevator pit.The school remained closed throughout the week as multiple crews worked to make repairs, and students had remote learning days on Thursday and Friday.Parts of several walls were cut away and replaced while other parts of the school were dried out.RSU 16 officials shared photos of the water damage and the work that was being done inside.On Thursday, PCS principal Brandi Comeau and assistant principal Denelle Gendron informed families that they planned to welcome students back on Monday, but noted that the second floor and some first floor spaces would remain a work zone. As a result, sixth-grade students will be housed at the Elm Street School and the PCS library and music room were converted into classrooms.Crews continued work through the weekend ahead of a code enforcement inspection early Monday morning. RSU 16 officials advised parents to be prepared for a regularly scheduled start to school on Monday, a one-hour or two-hour delay or the possibility of school being canceled.Drywall work was completed in the necessary areas on Sunday and PCS passed inspection in time for the school to welcome back students without a delay.
For the first time in a week, the Poland Community School (PCS) was able to welcome back students after the school experienced water damage.
Regional School Unit 16 officials first announced on the morning of April 6 that classes were canceled due to a “water event” that happened over the preceding weekend.
RSU 16 Superintendent Amy Hediger said a “water issue” originated in the second-floor custodial closet. Hediger said the issue caused minimal damage to the second floor, primarily limited to some pooling in a few spaces, but it affected approximately 35 spaces on the first floor below.
Hediger said the flow of water between floors caused damage to ceiling tiles, walls, flooring and belongings. The school’s elevator system was also impacted by water that had entered the elevator pit.
The school remained closed throughout the week as multiple crews worked to make repairs, and students had remote learning days on Thursday and Friday.
Parts of several walls were cut away and replaced while other parts of the school were dried out.
RSU 16 officials shared photos of the water damage and the work that was being done inside.
On Thursday, PCS principal Brandi Comeau and assistant principal Denelle Gendron informed families that they planned to welcome students back on Monday, but noted that the second floor and some first floor spaces would remain a work zone. As a result, sixth-grade students will be housed at the Elm Street School and the PCS library and music room were converted into classrooms.
Crews continued work through the weekend ahead of a code enforcement inspection early Monday morning. RSU 16 officials advised parents to be prepared for a regularly scheduled start to school on Monday, a one-hour or two-hour delay or the possibility of school being canceled.
Drywall work was completed in the necessary areas on Sunday and PCS passed inspection in time for the school to welcome back students without a delay.