When a coil in the attic cooling unit at Winnfield Senior High School gave way over the weekend, flood waters caused extensive damage to the front office and ran down the halls.  But it could have been worse.

Everything seemed fine when the staff left the building at the end of the school day Friday, January 3.  “Fortunately, the principal came in to work on Saturday instead of today,” Supt. Al Simmons told the School Board on Monday night.

He described the water damage as “extensive” as it came through the ceiling, onto the desks and floors, damaging computers, files, phones.  “Anything that can be damaged by water, was.”  Because of the quick response by school personnel and maintenance to the disaster, damage was concentrated mainly to the front office area.

Principal Chase Bartlett told the Journal that when he entered the building Saturday, water was running 2 inches deep down the hall.  It had pooled in some rooms.  He said he began calling staff and school personnel.  “Their response was immediate.”  

Simmons said “all sorts of people worked through the weekend to get things cleaned up.  It was more than just mopping up.  There were all the soaked and damaged materials to remove.  We brought in professionals to remove the humidity.  We also had to move around a couple of classrooms so all would be ready for students when they returned Tuesday.”

He added that there were no issues with lost data although some of the paper files may have to be replaced.

Of the damage, Bartlett observed, “It is what it is,” as the school moved forward this week with classes as usual.  “I just want to thank the many who spent their time to help us through this.”