DECATUR, Ala. — Decatur Middle School students will be welcomed back to campus on Tuesday, instead of having a Virtual Learning Day as originally planned. The school building was closed Monday, with students on a remote learning plan, while work continued to repair and clean up damage caused by last week's winter storm.
Between Jan. 15 and 19, there were no fewer than three water leaks in the school's HVAC system, as well as a pipe break, that sent gallons of water flooding through hallways and classrooms.
In a statement sent Monday afternoon, Decatur City Schools officials said, "Contractors and maintenance crews did a remarkable job of drying out, cleaning up, and replacing everything following significant water damage inside the building last week. Students and staff will return to on campus instruction at their regular time tomorrow."
Officials said a team of about 40 people are working inside the building, and contractors are making "considerable strides" in cleaning up and repairing the damage caused.
Thursday, following the third of the HVAC ruptures, Deputy Superintendent Dwight Satterfield said he believes the issues stem from a combination of the facility's age as well as the weather. "These units here were not built for multiple days of single-digit temperature," he said.
DMS was not the only North Alabama school impacted by water emergencies; Phil Campbell High School officials confirmed a leak flooded the gymnasium this week. They said in a social media post that cleanup was underway and that "minimal impacts" are expected when classes resume.