New Turf Ripped, District Schools Sustain Hurricane Damage

None of the school district's properties suffered the type of damage seen at flooded Village Hall, but the various buildings didn't emerge from the storm completely unscathed.

Virtually all school buildings had either trees down, power out or flooding damage, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein reported to the Ridgewood Board of Education at its public meeting Monday night.

The superintendent praised the job of the emergency management team for working quickly and effectively, as well as preparing well for the storm. Many of those workers used district facilities, although power went out at all three and generators were needed.

Ridgewood High School

According to the superintendent, Ridgewood High School is still without power and it has made IT and phone systems out of service.

"Right now all the buildings have power except the high school, which only has one phase [of power]. PSE&G is aware of that and we'll continue to follow up with them as well as the Office of Emergency Management," Fishbein said. "This means that the IT network and phones are inoperable there."

Field turf torn

"The Stadium Field sustained damage from the storm with some folds. There is a tear in the turf, on the right side of the turf facing the high school. It's one of the seams in the turf, there's a lot of sediment and debris," Fishbein said. Contractor LanTek has seen the damage and is making a report.

The superintendent also said Stevens Field had a heavy layer of sediment and debris, and the Project Adventure equipment was damaged by a tree falling. He did not report any tears in the Stevens Field turf.

No cost estimates were provided, as contractor LanTek had just reviewed the damage and is formulating a report. Fields will be closed until further notice, and Fishbein said it's too early to say when they will be reopened.

Foot bridge by RHS

Resident Jim Morgan, who in the past had lobbied the district to put up signs that informed people to not drive over the bridge with vehicles over 4,000 lbs., again pushed for signage. Fishbein said bollards will be placed down instead, as he doesn't feel signage is effective.

An engineer will review any possible damage to the bridge but they have to wait for the water levels to recede.

Willard

Willard had some water damage mainly in the cafeteria from the new elevator shaft.

Orchard

Orchard had some small leaks, there was no major damage there.

Travell

Travell was one of the last schools to have its power restored. There were some roof leaks in the roof, which was installed last year. The contractor will come back, as it's under warranty. The hallway entrance had some leaks as well from the doors.

"We put it up last summer and it is under warranty."

A tree also split near Butterfly Garden and there were some branches on the field off East Glen Avenue.

Somerville

Somerville had some branches down but took little damage in Irene. 

B.F.

B.F. had its power returned, one of the last three schools to regain the juice. The pumps continued working in the basement when power was restored and no damage was done to classrooms, Fishbein said.

G.W.

G.W. had some basement flooding due to an electrical conduit that was put in. The contractor came right away to assess the situation.

Ridge

Ridge also had its power restored. "There were a handful of leaks near the old construction area," Fishbein said. There were also some roof leaks, but the contractor responded early on Monday. There's water on the floors and some ceiling tiles had fallen but "nothing was major," Fishbein said.

A big oak tree dropped down near the playground, but "missed everything," according to the superintendent.

Hawes

Hawes has some leaks but there are "no real ongoing issues," according to Fishbein.

Glen School

Glen had its power restored and there were no major issues there.