Nashville schools’ flood damage estimated at $1.66 million

Although 264 teachers had serious problems due to flooding at home, Metro Nashville public school students returned to school May 10 after a week-long absence in the wake of widespread flooding.

Tennessee (The Tennessean) May 12, 2010 -- Metro Nashville’s public schools director called the Tennessee district “extremely fortunate” to sustain as little flood damage as it did, although the total assessment may rise as the school year resumes this week.

The director addressed the school board May 11, delivering the flood damage estimate of $1.66 million.

In addition, the transportation department had to make 137 changes to the city’s school bus routes to avoid damaged or inaccessible roads. Eleven buses appear to be total losses, but other than that, the director said, things were going smoothly.

“We’ve had some gym floors buckle, and we’ve had some asphalt problems,” he said. “Some books and classroom materials were damaged, but it could have been worse, especially considering how many schools we have in different areas across the city.”

Students returned to school May 10 after a week-long absence in the wake of widespread flooding in Tennessee May 2.

“To my knowledge, there were 264 teachers that had serious problems due to flooding at home,” the director said. “Even when you consider that, teacher absences have been lower than normal.”

Attendance at Metro Schools was 92 percent May 10, and 94 percent May 11, as high school students began Gateway testing delayed by the flooding. That’s higher than average, the director said. In 2009, average high school attendance was 91 percent.

Link: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100512/NEWS04/5120377/-1/nsitemapXML/Nashville-schools--flood-damage-estimated-at--1.66-million

Source: DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report