Water problem at St. Regis Mohawk School causes closure of wing

One week prior to the students’ return to school, staff discovered that a moisture problem in the basement of the St. Regis Mohawk School was causing a high-level of humidity in the oldest wing.

“As the health and safety of our students is our number one priority, the district directed that the wing be closed to the students and staff until the matter was fully investigated,” said Salmon River Central School District Superintendent Jane Collins.

The school called in assistance from the State Education Department and Jefferson-Lewis BOCES Health and Safety coordination is assessing the wing.

Until inspections are completed and a plan is implemented to repair any issues, the students who would have occupied that wing of the school have been relocated to the gymnasium. Students in first and second grade are using the gym for the remainder of the week, and the staff is construction a plan to move them out of the gym and into classrooms presently occupied by the special area teachers, Collins said.

“The special area classrooms (art, music, Mohawk Language, library) will then be relocated to other areas of the school like the multi-purpose room and the Turtle area,” she added.

“The measures we have employed extend to the safety of the students and staff for safe evacuation from the school for fire purposes,” she said. “The health and safety coordinator advised the district on fire exits and approved the areas we are utilizing.”

As for the children, they’ve appeared to love their new and temporary headquarters thus far.

“The children and staff have been exemplary!” Collins said. “We appreciate all that our teachers, staff and new principal have done to create temporary learning environments. This staff is to be commended for all that they have done and are doing to make this a sound learning environment for our children.”

To review the problem, the State Education Department – which owns the school – has sent a representative from the Office of General Services. Once they determine the full scope of the problem, a plan to address the issue will be developed and implemented immediately, Collins said.

”The district has made this a number one priority,” she added.

The investigation includes testing for mold and the State Education Department will be investigating the asbestos areas, Collins said.

Parents with concerns can contact Collins at 358-6610 or Sharlee Thomas, the school’s principal at 358-2763.

“The health and safety of the children and staff is our number one priority and that is why the district is being pro-active in closing the 400 wing while the investigation was performed by the health and safety coordinator,” Collins said.