Sandy Rips Roof from High School’s Old Gym

If there is a silver lining in the damage Hurricane Sandy caused at Watchung Hills Regional High School, it’s that the damage is isolated and primarily on the school’s old gymnasium.

“That’s '57 vintage,” Superintendent of Schools Francis Stromsland said. “The good news is that it’s a fairly isolated event.”

Dr. Stromsland said no classrooms suffered major damage, though some water damage did occur in rooms and ceilings to the west of the gym.

Goldcon, Inc., of Millington, began cleanup efforts yesterday and has removed much of the debris. Stromsland said after the cleanup, the area will be secured to prevent further damage—then the longer project of repair will begin.

The school repaired a section of the roof over the older school building earlier this year, but that area was not affected by the storm.  

School for all area districts has been canceled through Thursday and Friday. She said the superintendents for the five WHRHS sending districts “are going to talk again Sunday” to assess the ability of reopening schools.

School employees were able to restore the school’s Internet services early Wednesday afternoon, enabling updates to be posted to the school website, and Dr. Stromsland said the district is looking to establish a Twitter feed (@WatchungHillsHS) to “push information out to parents.”

“We’re also going to go 'old-school Twitter’ and put some signs up around town,” Stromsland said.