CHARLIE WOJCIECHOWSKI

Despite Damage, School in Round Lake Park Expected to Open on Time

Despite floodwaters that caused over $2 million in damage to W.J. Murphy School in Round Lake Park, the facility is still expected to open for classes later this month.

The school, which was battered by heavy rains in July, saw numerous areas completely submerged by the water, which destroyed the school’s library, computer lab, and music room.

“Everything in this area was declared a total loss,” Director of Operations Shelia Duhon said. “This library connects to our computer lab, and all the computers were completely submerged.”

The school’s library took on an estimated four to five feet of water, ruining all the books and computers. The water also flooded into the music room, where it got to the top step of the risers that the choir and bands used for practice.

Despite those setbacks, enough of the school will be ready so that classes can begin on Aug. 21, the district says. Mobile classrooms will be set up in case more space is needed, as the full renovation and restoration isn’t expected to be completed until November.

“The silver lining is that these spaces will support our operation, and they will be even better than they were before,” Duhon said. 

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