Rain damage could delay start of Pitman elementary school

Water damage from a torrential storm last Thursday could delay the start of school for the more than 200 students in kindergarten through fifth grade who attend Elwood Kindle Elementary School in Pitman.

Leaks affected most of the rooms at the front of the building, including three classrooms, administrative offices, the top-floor bathrooms, and a few spaces in the basement that are generally used for special education or other basic-skills teaching.

"Some of those doomsday rumors are not true. The building isn't in imminent danger of collapse," Superintendent Patrick McAleer said Wednesday.

McAleer, who toured the building Monday, expressed "cautious optimism" that the school would open Sept. 6 as scheduled, but added that nothing was certain.

If the building is not ready on time, the district may have to push back the start of school at Kindle, or relocate the students who would be in affected classrooms.

McAleer sent an email to parents on Monday explaining the situation and hoping to dispel any "rumors" surrounding the repairs. He said he had only heard from a few families, but he knew some were imagining only "worst-case scenarios."

Home and School Association president Lanie Cardone said that although "parents talk - what if this, what if that? - the district has been keeping residents well-informed.

"It'll be handled," she said.

The damage varies room by room, with some having been flooded by inches of water and others left with just minor paint damage, McAleer said. Minor electrical repairs may be required, as well as new flooring and ceiling tiles in some spaces.

Larger spaces such as the gym, cafeteria, and computer lab were not affected.

The building, parts of which were built nearly a century ago, has had minor leaking problems in the past, McAleer said, but "nothing anywhere near this."

Maintenance in summer 2015 addressed water that occasionally seeped into basement classrooms.

The building was undergoing maintenance to brickwork around the parapet, work that may have exacerbated the problems caused by the leaks. Those repairs remain on schedule.

The superintendent said it was not clear how much the repairs would cost, but he expected insurance to cover most, if not all, associated expenses.

Mark D'Onofrio, general manager of Duall Building Restoration Inc., which is working on repairs, said the company is aiming to finish by the start of the school year, but did not have further information.

Brian Slusar, a roofing foreman working at the school Wednesday afternoon, said he could not be sure when the work would be finished but also said he hoped to have it done before school starts.

eplatoff@philly.com

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