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Water saturated several classrooms at First Avenue Elementary School. Maintenance crews have been working to ready the school for the students’ first day back. Danny Derrick | Submitted
Emergency cleanup crews were at San Manuel Schools following a severe monsoon storm Wednesday. John Hernandez | Miner
Blowers were used to dry out classrooms at First Avenue Elementary School following a severe monsoon storm Wednesday. John Hernandez | Miner
San Manuel Miner
For those San Manuel kids out there with your fingers crossed, sorry. In spite of the damage from the Wednesday, July 29, monsoon storms, school will still start on time.
The Mammoth-San Manuel School District has been working hard to deal with the damage from last week’s storm. The storm damaged eight classrooms at First Avenue Elementary and the Junior/Senior High auditorium pit. Wrestling mats were ruined and will have to be replaced. Insurance will cover the cost of damage.
Contrary to some earlier reports, there was no raw sewage running through the school buildings and there was no hazardous material exposed that would be a danger to students or staff. All the books were not destroyed and insurance will pay for any that were damaged.
A lot of people including staff, administration and the community helped to clean up.
“It was a small town community coming together to help the school,” said Superintendent John Ryan.
The school’s insurance company Arizona Risk Retention Fund is working with the school to insure that all damage is cleaned up and repaired.
Superintendent Ryan issued a statement on the school’s website:
On Wednesday July 29, 2015, San Manuel was hit with a massive storm causing damage throughout the town. First Avenue Elementary and San Manuel Junior/Senior High also suffered flooding issues.
Due to water damage at First Avenue Elementary and to the Junior/Senior High, some rooms cannot be used at this time. CRS Emergency and Construction Services has a crew working immediately to address the issues. Those classes affected by flooding (water damage) will be moved to other areas on their campus. Because some of the rooms have older tile, we must check for asbestos under the carpet/tile per government regulation. No students will be exposed during the clean-up phase.
I am told the re-location could take a minimum of six weeks. All rooms will receive new flooring/carpet and all materials will be replaced. School will begin on time Aug. 6, 2015.
Thank you for your support and patience.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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