Storm-damaged PPS schools may be closed until mid-February
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The snow-and-ice storm that caused so much damage in Oregon and Southwest Washington also caused major problems for a number of older Portland Public Schools that remain closed while authorities at each location figure out exact next steps.
Early Monday evening, PPS officials said Markham Elementary and Robert Gray Middle Schoo may not open until mid-February.
“It may be mid-February before your students are able to return to classes in their buildings. Unlike other schools, burst pipes and flooding were not isolated to one or two rooms in your buildings,” officials said in a letter to the “Markham and Gray families.”
“Water damaged plaster and drywall throughout your buildings, and disrupted asbestos when ceiling pipes burst. We are competing for professionals not only to repair, but to test and abate as well, and we cannot reopen these buildings until it is safe for everyone in our community.”
PPS officials said district teams are working with school leaders to look at other locations, and “make alternative plans for feeding students, rearrange transportation, and meet your internet and technology needs.”
They added there is not a “complete plan” at this point, but one will be shared as soon as it’s done.
City provides update on Portland trash pickup delays after ice storm
Families at some of the schools said principals have reached out online and are making plans for them to pick up materials for online learning. But, right now, there are no plans for live instruction.
The district said staffs are meeting with principals to determine what’s next for the week.
The problem is some of the schools are at least 70 years old and may need completely new plumbing and boilers that heat the schools need to be replaced at some buildings.
KOIN 6 News saw outside contractors at some of the schools Monday beginning the assessment of what needs to be done — including asbestos monitoring after pipes burst in the ceilings.
Generators were brought in so contractors could get to work.
Photos: Vista House, Historic Columbia River Highway still frozen after winter storm
At Forest Park Elementary, waterlines that feed the boiler froze, burst and flooded parts of the school. It’s closed for the week.
There was also no school Monday at Ainsworth Elementary School as officials have to move classrooms from the annex sections that flooded.
The district is looking into options for students and teachers, whether they can move students at affected schools to other schools temporarily, rent space elsewhere or temporarily return to online school.
One middle school student who spoke with KOIN 6 News said they want to get back to school quickly.
“During the strike, the previous strike, I begged to get back to school because I did not like that we were out of school. And during COVID 19, we had this thing called seesaw, and it was, like, horrible,” the student said. “So I’m hoping that we don’t have to do that.”
At this time, officials at PPS have not responded to repeated requests for comment and information from KOIN 6 News.
If you’re a PPS parent with a child in one of these schools, please contact KOIN 6 News reporter Lisa Balick — lisa.balick@koin.com
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
