Students at NJ schools wrecked by Ida face another year of remote learning

ByBrittany Bell WABC logo

Monday, October 4, 2021

Students at NJ schools wrecked by Ida face more remote learning

Cresskill High School and Creskill Middle School suffered millions of dollars in damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.

CRESSKILL, New Jersey (WABC) -- A school in New Jersey that suffered incredible damage by the remnants of Hurricane Ida is faced with the possibility of another year of remote learning, leaving parents in the district pleading for help.

Superintendent Mr. Michael Burke detailed the millions of dollars in repairs needed at Cresskill High School and Cresskill Middle School, which had areas the campus underwater for over 30 hours.

He said all boilers, univents, and water pumps need to be repaired or replaced.

Elizabeth residents left homeless after the remnants of Hurricane Ida are holding a rally Thursday to demand public housing.

The four boilers, which provide heat to the entire building, were extensively damaged, and Burke said any attempt to turn them on just to see if they work would pose a serious risk of triggering an explosion.

Approximately half of the univents need to have the controller replaced, and those that work need to have the parts extensively cleaned or replaced due to corrosion caused by water damage and toxins now embedded in the mechanical parts of each of the univents.

The water pumps were completely submerged in water for over 30 hours, and though they can be rebuilt rather than be replaced, they are unusable in their current state.

The cost of new boilers and univents is estimated to be between $5-6 million, and officials are exploring all possible options to acquire the financing.

Complete installation is possible by January, though obstacles and roadblocks remain.

As a possible backup option, the district is working to bring the St. Therese school building, which closed two years ago, up to code and furnished with desks and internet.