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GLENDIVE, Mont. (AP) — About 5 feet of water flooded the basement of a Glendive elementary school late last month, causing damage that is delaying the start of classes for students in kindergarten through second grade, school officials said.
Superintendent Ross Farber tells The Billings Gazette (http://bit.ly/2b6yhLk) they suspect a water main from the school well failed and the pump didn't shut off. The water didn't trip electrical breakers, either, so electricity surged through the water, heating it up.
"It was like a giant cook pot," Farber said.
Steam followed the electrical conduit, damaging wiring.
The flooding was discovered on July 25 when the school's heat sensors went off. The estimated 50,000 gallons of water filled the basement over that weekend, Farber said.
School officials hope to start classes at Jefferson Elementary on Sept. 6. Other students in the district will still start classes on Aug. 24.
The state requires 720 hours of instruction for students in kindergarten through second grade and Glendive had 920 last year, with slightly more planned this year. The delay won't mean makeup time for students, but it'll be a challenge for teachers to fit their lesson plans into a shorter time frame.
"We'll probably restructure rather than cut out," said first-grade teacher Cindi Mahan. "You just roll with it."
While teachers prepare for classes upstairs, electricians and plumbers are trying to restore order in the basement. Work includes installing an electrical panel and a heater and replacing wire that was damaged by water and steam. Any electrical system connected to the basement must be checked.
"Every time they get into something, they see more issues," said Jefferson Elementary Principal Stephan Schreibeis.
Officials don't yet have a damage estimate.
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Information from: The Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com
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