College Station ISD Approves Repairs After Flooding at Pebble Creek Elementary
In College Station, excitement is in the air as the local school district takes swift action to address repairs needed at Pebble Creek Elementary School. During a recent meeting, the College Station ISD Board of Trustees made the important decision to approve contracts totaling over $300,000 to tackle the aftermath of a rather unexpected flood event. This major incident was triggered back in early December when a pipe—part of the school’s fire extinguishing system—burst, sending a significant rush of water flooding through the school.
The Incident: A Burst Pipe and Quick Response
According to Josh Symank, the Assistant Superintendent of Operations, “There was a lot of pressure coming out of that pipe. It was a lot, for sure.” This statement highlights the urgency and intensity of the situation faced by the school community. Footage from the flood day showed murky waters pouring into the building, which understandably raised some eyebrows among parents and neighbors. However, district leaders clarified that the murkiness was due to the fact that the pipe that burst was located underground.
So, what exactly caused this pipe to burst? Officials have pinpointed a key culprit: a hole in the pipe known as the isolation shut-off valve. Here’s where it gets a little tricky—the isolation shut-off valve is owned by the City of College Station, which meant that the school district couldn’t simply shut off the water themselves. They had to reach out to the city for help, making it a team effort to fix the situation.
Praise for the Pebble Creek Community
Air Quality Testing Results Are Promising
The district also took precautionary measures by conducting air quality testing following the flooding. Luckily, the results were reassuring. Testing indicated no presence of black mold and a lower indoor mold count compared to the outdoor environment. This is fantastic news for parents concerned about their children’s health and safety. To keep the ball rolling, additional air quality testing is scheduled to take place at the start of the new year, ensuring that Pebble Creek Elementary maintains a safe environment for all.
Looking Ahead
The College Station ISD Board of Trustees is taking every necessary step to ensure that the repairs at Pebble Creek Elementary are carried out efficiently and effectively. As the school community looks forward to returning to normalcy, the commitment to student safety and well-being stands strong. With the combined efforts of teachers, staff, parents, and the city, Pebble Creek Elementary is bound to bounce back from this flood stronger than ever!
