Chardon High School students have an extra day to sleep off their winter break, after Superintendent Michael Hanlon announced the building will be closed Jan. 4 through Jan. 6 due to ongoing repairs after low temperatures caused a water line to burst in the upstairs hallway of one of the oldest parts of the building Dec. 25.
Chardon High School students have an extra day to sleep off their winter break, after Superintendent Michael Hanlon announced the building will be closed Jan. 4 through Jan. 6 due to ongoing repairs after low temperatures caused a water line to burst in the upstairs hallway of one of the oldest parts of the building Dec. 25.
Students will be provided with virtual instruction through the end of the week as work continues in downstairs classrooms, which saw extensive damage to ceiling tiles and classroom equipment.
In a Jan. 2 email to parents, Hanlon said Cleveland Fire and Water Restoration’s cleanup work should be completed in the next few days, which includes ensuring excess humidity is removed from affected areas before students return.
“Out of an abundance of caution, air quality testing, humidity levels and other data will be gathered before students and staff return for full-time instructional use,” he said. “This will be done to ensure that all precautions are being taken before we resume full building use.”
Multiple classrooms will be out of use for the foreseeable future, with semi-permanent partition walls constructed to close those spaces off from the rest of the building and allow work to continue uninterrupted.
In a communication to parents sent Dec. 29, Hanlon shot down a social media rumor the building would remain closed until Jan. 20.
CHS Principal Doug Murray sent a detailed communication to families Jan. 3 with information on a modified schedule to accommodate virtual learning, as well as revisions needed due to the loss of classroom space. Administrators built eight schedules over the previous week and will present a plan for in-person instruction once more details are known about the physical condition of the building, Murray said.
“Everything, I mean everything, is contingent on the professionals telling us what we can and cannot use,” he said, adding the past week had been relentless and while the work to be done is monumental, it will get done.
“The number of people who have engaged with us during this catastrophic event has been fantastic. We certainly are grateful for all of these professionals,” he said. “Countless decisions have been made and countless waiting has also occurred as we wait for various readings of our building. The most essential factor is safety.”
With the start of a new semester, many students are returning to new courses virtually, which Murray said is not ideal. However, the two scheduled days of remote learning will give teachers an opportunity to review classroom procedures with their pupils, who will face changes due to rearranged class spaces once they return.
“I know that you all have questions and I wish I had every answer,” Murray said. “It is our goal to get 100% of our students back in-person. I must preface that even when we do this, it will look different due to the availability of rooms.”
Hanlon said the district is struggling to find modular classrooms due to the widespread impact of the weather-related damage from the winter storm.
“We are working with every available resource to identify temporary classroom spaces to house students and staff,” he said. “We will continue to keep you updated concerning the latest developments on this issue. Our focus continues to be on completing the work necessary for a safe and efficient return to school.”
Athletic Director Doug Snyder said the closure of the high school through Jan. 6 includes the gym, meaning practices are being moved to alternate sites. Home games will also be rescheduled.
In a Tweet Jan. 3, CHS Athletics announced the home basketball game scheduled against Cardinal High School for that day would instead be an away game, with thanks to Cardinal for hosting on short notice.
“We are a family and we have been through so much. We are resilient and will be more determined than ever to weather this storm,” Murray told students and families. “I know we can. We are Hilltoppers.”
