KINGWOOD — Kingwood Elementary’s principal and a Preston County Board of Education member gave a thank you to everyone who helped when a flood caused by malfunctioning sprinklers destroyed most of the library’s books and more two weekends ago.
The damage could have been much worse if not for a teacher who was working in the school when she could have been at home on Feb. 4, Principal Jill Zeigler said.
“It was a professional learning day but because of the weather, we were able to do it remotely,” Zeigler said. “So there really shouldn’t have been anybody in the building. But bless our teachers, they come in and work 24/7. And it was one of our teachers that discovered it.”
BOE Member Jeff Zigray thanked everyone who responded to the crisis at Monday night’s regular BOE meeting.
“I want to thank the fire department for bringing all the personnel they brought and the squeegee. They had the big squeegees, which moved the water out pretty quick,” Zigray said. “And like I said, all our employees, teachers, janitors, staff, administrators, and, you know, I want to thank the Kingwood Garbage.”
Zeigler said they filled four dumpsters with about 75% of the school’s library books and items from classrooms such as surge protectors, supplies and electronics. Insurance will take care of the damage and replace the books, she said.
Both superintendents, Brad Martin and Angie Varner, also helped, Zigray said. Varner even brought her family, Zeigler said.
Unexpected damage is still being discovered, Zeigler told the board. Such as warping of wooden bookshelves in the library and rust being found under cabinets. She expected to have a full list of damage soon.
The flooding was caused by the sprinklers going on, but it’s not clear what set them off, Zigray said. He thought the heat in the building — it was 82 degrees and, he said, the metal cabinets were warm to touch.
Zigray said he was second on the scene after the teacher and there was 12 inches of water in the library and throughout the school. The water valves were found and shut off before it got worse.
In light of the recent disaster Zeigler said all the custodians should be trained in where all major utility shut offs are.
Zeiglar also thanked unnamed BOE members who bought pizza and drinks for those working to fix the damage.
Kingwood Elementary was closed Feb. 7 so faculty could finish putting the school back in order.
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