Louisa News
Portsia Smith covers Louisa County crime and news.
State Superintendent praises school recovery efforts
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Open Houses will be held this week during the following days/times:
Video of the earthquake: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bED9h3eD1c[/youtube]
State Superintendent praises school recovery efforts
BY PORTSIA SMITH
The Louisa and Orange county school systems were among a few that were praised today by the Virginia Department of Education.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright thanked the school divisions for their efforts in response to a series of natural disasters and emergencies in April and August that damaged schools, interrupt ed instruction and complicated operations in dozens of divisions.
“I can’t think of another time during my 35 years as an educator when the public schools of Virginia have faced so many unexpected challenges in so short a period of time,” Wright said. “I want to thank the superintendents, principals, administrators, teachers, support staff and parents for every thing they have done in the face of extraordinary circumstances to protect students and staff from serious injury, minimize disruptions to instruction and provide children with safe learning environments.”
The 2011-2012 school year started for many schools yesterday, but Louisa and Orange have delayed the start of school until Sept. 12 to allow for safety inspections and repairs.
Schools in Louisa County originally opened Aug. 15, and students were in classes when a magnitude 5.8 earth quake struck Aug. 23, with its epicenter in the heart of the county. Six students suffered minor injuries. All six county schools were closed and two suffered major damage.
County officials estimated the damage to public school structures at more than $57.5 million.
Engineers advised school officials that Thomas Jefferson Elementary and Louisa County High School cannot be used for at least this school year due to structural damage.
Louisa schools have been closed since the earthquake.
Aside from Louisa County, Orange’s schools suffered the most damage in the area, Superintendent Bob Grimesey said.
All of Orange’s schools have been approved for occupancy, but a few need attention.
Grimesey said the gymnasium of the Locust Grove Primary School (formerly the Locust Grove Elementary School) will be closed for four to six weeks while structural blocks in the walls are removed and reset.
At the high school, wall tiles must be replaced. At the Taylor Education Administration Complex, the former gym can be used by only 30 Head Start students or Boys and Girls Club members at one time (in the event the gym must be evacuated) until blocks and mortar are replaced.
Other schools around the state suffered damage from an April tornado and from Hurricane Irene last month.
“All of these challenges have tested the leadership of the affected school divisions, and in every instance, the responses of superintendents, administrators and principals have been characterized by resourcefulness, ingenuity and a determination to minimize the impact on instruction and student learning,” Wright said. “School divisions have reached out to each other during these disasters and emergencies to render assistance and have provided critical support to local, state and national emergency management and relief agencies.”
Wright also thanked local governing bodies and officials for providing the financial support school divisions need to recover from emergencies and natural disasters.
“From one end of the commonwealth to the other, communities have rallied around their public schools,” Wright said. “This ‘can do’ spirit is getting the new school year off to a good start—despite the challenges some divisions still face.”
Virginia Department of Education staff are providing technical guidance to school divisions affected by the most recent events—the earthquake and hurricane— as they adjust school calendars and schedules while ensuring that state requirements for instructional time are met.
Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419 psmith@fredericksburg.com
Click here to see photo slideshow of damage:
Louisa County High School:
Thomas Jefferson Elementary:
