Schools Damaged by Storms

At the start of the day Monday, Aug. 22, several schools were without air conditioning and other utilities following the previous night’s storms.

, , and were all affected.

According to a release issued by Wanda Creel, schools superintendent, the county maintenance department began early to repair the damages.

Apalachee High School

• The air conditioner was affected but was restored by 9 a.m.

Auburn Elementary School

• Power outages were addressed through emergency generator systems. The problem is on the Georgia Power side and the school system is working with the company to resolve the problem.
• The air conditioner was restored by mid-morning. However, an additional problem arose about 11:30 a.m. that caused the air conditioner to not be operational in a portion of the building. Shawn Williams, principal, moved students to areas where the air was operational.

Winder-Barrow High School

• The air conditioner was affected but was restored by 8:30 a.m.

Yargo Elementary School

• The air conditioner was off for approximately 45 minutes between 8 and 9 a.m. The air conditioner was cooling all portions of the building the remainder of the time.
• The intercom service was restored by 10:30 a.m. However, communication between the front office and teachers was maintained through email and individuals going to classrooms.
• Bottled drinking water was purchased and distributed to the students and staff.
• Supplemental water was brought in to assist with manually flushing the toilets. 
• A temporary repair to the water line was completed by noon and a permanent repair was to be completed Monday evening following the school’s after school program.
• Paper products were used to serve the children a hot lunch.

Creel said the school system plans to have systems fully operational by Tuesday morning.