Maquoketa, Iowa School Closes Due To Water Leak

According to a report from the Telegraph Herald and a release from the school through social media, a Maquoketa school will be closed for at least two days following a significant water leak.

Credit: Cardinal Elementary Facebook Page

Cardinal Elementary will not have classes on Today or Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 21st, district officials announced. The cancellation comes following a burst pipe at the school, which is said to have occurred Saturday morning. This caused a significant leak, according to a letter to school families that was posted online.

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The company SERVPRO has been working to remove the water, clean the carpets, and reduce moisture in the building since Saturday.

According to the release from Superintendent Tara Notz, “due to the size of the area that was damaged, it's going to take longer to dry out and we need to bring in larger equipment which does not allow for students to be in the building."

School officials plan to monitor the buildings progress and will make a determination about the remainder of the week on a day-by-day basis. Staff will be in discussion today (3/20) on how they can support or make up for this lost learning time for students.

No word of damage estimates have been given at this time. Approximately three months ago a burst pipe in Platteville caused a similar situation to occur. The water caused damage to walls, ceilings, and floors at Neal Wilkins Early Learning Center, with eight of the school’s fourteen classrooms affected. Repairs then were expected to take eight weeks or longer. In that schools case Temporary classrooms and dividing walls were erected in the school gym, and in other multipurpose areas which were unaffected. The school cafeteria also was undamaged so meals could still be served as normal.

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