Schools still recovering from storm 4/15/2009 12:17 AM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
Last Saturday about 3:30 a.m., New Ellenton Middle School principal Elisa Sanders-Pee got a call from Area 5 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Randy Stowe, who let her know the school had received some damage from the storm and tornado that created havoc in that part of the county. Sanders-Pee rushed to the school and in the dark, she drove right past it.
"There were pine trees on the ground blocking the view," she said Tuesday. "I couldn't see the school."
A number of trees on and near the campus were uprooted. One fell on a portion of the building, causing roof damage to that area. Maintenance workers from the Aiken County School District and Carolina Tree employees were still working on clearing the property Tuesday.
Much of the New Ellenton, Silver Bluff and Beech Island areas lost power. The middle school's electricity was restored by Sunday night, and classes resumed with a regular schedule Monday and Tuesday.
"We're so thankful. It could have been a lot worse," said Sanders-Pee. "The damage is over office space and the cafeteria. Our classrooms are all fine."
The exhaust system over the cafeteria's kitchen was blown off during the storm, and as a result, students have received boxed lunches the past two days. If the situation persists, said Deputy Superintendent David Caver, New Ellenton's cafeteria staffers could prepare meals at Greendale Elementary School and bring them to their own school.
Caver agreed with Sanders-Pee about the good fortune that New Ellenton Middle was spared, especially with Corinth Baptist Church experiencing major damage across the street.
"We'll get with some roofing consultants for the recommendation for repairs and get with the insurance folks," said Caver. "We'll get a scope of work defined and get some bids as quickly as we can, but we'll have to wait till school is out to get the work done."
Sanders-Pee said she has a great group of students who have been cooperative since returning to classes. The eighth-graders have been asked to walk around part of the building to avoid a breezeway area as a precaution.
In a related situation, Caver said Redcliffe Elementary School and Jackson Middle School lost power Tuesday morning during still more inclement weather. Redcliffe's power remained out about for two hours.
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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