MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Burst water pipes and damaged heater coils will keep students out of Cummings Elementary School for a second day Wednesday, according to school officials.
The problems began Friday afternoon with a loss of heating in the gym and cafeteria and reduction of heat in several other classrooms, Scott Sterry, school principal, said an e-mail.
Workers from the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron discovered a damaged heating coil and planned repairs for the weekend. But when Sterry went to the school on Saturday morning, he said he discovered water coming from the ceiling in one of the classrooms.
Crews worked all day Saturday to fix the problems, but discovered additional leaks on Sunday. Additional problems were found on Monday, which was an off day for students because of the Martin Luther King holiday. Classes were canceled for Tuesday.
While students are off, teachers and staff will be on duty Wednesday to “help assess the damage to computers, copiers, curriculum and lesson materials, as well as other classroom items soaked by the flooding” Sterry said.
He was unable to estimate the cost of the damage, saying it could take weeks before that information is available.
It’s not known when the students will be able to return to school, Sterry said. Officials will assess the situation on a day-to-day basis.
For more information, parents can call the school at DSN 226-2647.
