Vandalism causes water damage to new Engleman Elementary

Dan Petsch, buildings and grounds coordinator for the Grand Island Public Schools, said vandalism has caused flooding at the new Engleman Elementary, which is under renovation.

Petsch said he has not seen the building, but has been told by the contractor that someone apparently entered the building on Sunday and turned on a 2-inch domestic water line that had been valved off.

Petsch said water ran through the older portion of the building, including the cafeteria and gymnasium floor.

"My biggest concern is the gym floor," said Petsch, who said contractors on the project have told him that they are working to dry it out.

Engleman Principal Maureen Oman said that a couple who was out walking spotted the water coming out of the building and called 911, then called her.

The people who spotted the running water were apparently the ones who got the valve shut off, she said.

Oman said that with the help of an Engleman parent, the contractor on the project was contacted. She said the contractors were already on the scene when she went to the building to see the damage.

Grand Island Public Schools Business Manager Virgil Harden said the entire gym floor was covered with water. He said he has been told by the contractor that the floor had expanded 3 inches.

If the gym floor has to be replaced, Harden said, "it would cost well over $100,000."

He said the water also ruined insulation that was waiting to be installed. He said sound proofing in the band and vocal music room and dry wall in the kitchen area will have to be replaced.

Water went into the new kindergarten rooms, but those floors are only concrete, with no floor coverings yet installed, Harden said.

Lights were up on pallets, so they were not damaged, Harden said. Likewise, carpet that was going to be installed was in another part of the building so it was not damaged.

Neither Harden nor Superintendent Steve Joel could say whether the new Engleman project will be delayed.

Joel said he took a look at the building Sunday and thought it was a mess. Still, Joel said, "we're hopeful we can maintain our timeline."

Harden said the school district took out insurance on the renovation and expansion project, so it will be district insurance that will pay the damages.