District Flood Recovery Efforts Continue
As the one-year anniversary approaches, the community and citizens of Cedar Rapids, IA continue to recover from the June 2008 flooding disaster. The most recent data indicates the City of Cedar Rapids sustained more than $5.6 billion in damage, including estimates from government, labor groups, arts and culture organizations, human service agencies, churches, and the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
Eight District facilities were damaged in the flood, including the central service and administrative offices, warehouse, and Taylor Elementary School. Total school District damage tallies $33.5 million.
Since the flood, students and staff throughout District have adjusted to changes that have included new temporary classroom locations in existing school buildings, a move to modular or leased office spaces, and an ongoing search and sort through recovered and restored documents. The forward focus remains key as the District continues to work closely with the City to support the recovery effort.
“The flood effects were devastating, but our recovery efforts have been remarkable,” noted Dr. Dave Markward, Superintendent. “Every member of the District staff has contributed to that recovery while tending to other every day essentials for our students and families. I have never been more proud of an employee group.”
The repairs to Taylor Elementary School are now nearly complete with students returning of the start of the 2009-10 school year. Decisions about the future of other damaged facilities have not yet been made as the District continues to consider options.
At the May 11 Board of Education meeting, presentations were made addressing space and programming needs in the District and the possibility of partnering with the City for a public input open house process to further evaluate options.
“We are now nearing the home stretch in terms of determining the recovery approach and locations of our remaining flood-damaged buildings,” added Dr. Markward, Superintendent. “The presentations recently given to the Board were very helpful for providing guidance and have set the stage for making a decision next week.”
The Board of Education is scheduled to make a decision about next steps for facility recovery at a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. on May 18. The meeting will be held in the Boardroom Building, Modular 305, at the ESC at Kingston.