Pence Elementary closes due to water damage

FAIRFIELD – Pence Elementary School in Fairfield was closed Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 23-24, due to water damage that was discovered over the weekend. After the water was cleaned up, the district is planning to have the students return to class as normal on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

An email from Fairfield Community School District Superintendent Laurie Noll reads:

'On Sunday, September 22nd around 10:00 a.m. water damage was discovered at Pence Elementary. The point of entry was from a roof drain above the 2nd-floor library. The drain pipe dislodged, allowing water to flow into the upstairs library. The water flowed into the Title classroom directly below the library, as well as the hallways on both floors. It was the quick response of staff and their families, which prevented the damage from going much further.

'By noon on Sunday, we had Servpro on-site taking out the remaining water, sanitizing the areas affected by the water and setting up fans and dehumidifiers throughout the 1st and 2nd floors. We had staff working on Monday to put the rooms back together, however, floor tiles started to come up from the water damage. The decision to not have school on Tuesday at Pence was for the safety of the students and staff. The district had many outside agencies in the building surveying the safety for staff and students. After the completion of the floor today, the building will be safe for students to return to school tomorrow [Sept. 25].

'The District has been in contact with the Iowa Department of Education and Pence's day without school is classified as a natural disaster, which falls into a special dispensation. At this point, this day will not be made up in accordance to the state requirement of 1,080 student contact hours.

'We appreciate your patience and understanding as we have worked to make Pence a safe learning environment for staff and students.”