LAKE PARK, Iowa (KTIV) — The Harris-Lake Park Community School District decided Monday not to reopen its elementary building after a boiler failure over the weekend, instead accelerating plans to move students into a new school.
The elementary school, which served 167 students in preschool through fifth grade, was evacuated Friday afternoon when custodial staff noticed a steam leak in the building.
“It was causing not only some interior water damage, but the steam was putting an incredible amount of moisture into the air,” said Superintendent Mike Thompson. “And there were some other factors as well, just from the safety standpoint of having a partially ruptured steam line. We just wanted to make sure that everyone and everything was safe.”
Classes were cancelled for all elementary students Monday and Tuesday. Students will return Wednesday to temporary locations for about six to eight weeks.
Temporary classroom arrangements
Preschool, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classes will be held at the Lake Park Presbyterian Church. First through fifth grade students will be relocated to Harris-Lake Park High School, and students in sixth through 12th grade will remain at the high school.
The ruptured steam line caused water, electrical and fire system damage. Service Master was called in to address the water and steam damage, along with electrical damage and fire system repairs.
New building timeline accelerated
The district was already building a new elementary school where students were supposed to move after spring break. With the old building now closed permanently, that timeline has been moved up to President’s Day.
“We are so close to being in our new facility, 6-8 weeks at the most,” Thompson said. “So we made the decision, we will not be going back to the elementary. We are moving forward with plans to finish completion in this new building as quickly as possible, and getting students here moving forward.”
The new building is nearly complete and needs flooring, carpeting and some cabinetry.
“We are so thankful to our community two years ago that voted for and passed the bond,” Thompson said. “We would be in a much different situation if we didn’t have a brand new building here shortly to move in to.”
The district will continue to communicate with parents as more information becomes available.
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