Water damage cleanup underway at Fernan Elementary

COEUR d’ALENE — After a boiler failure at Fernan Elementary School caused water lines to freeze and burst two weeks ago, approximately one third of the school remains damaged, officials said Monday.

Leaking water damaged four classrooms, two special needs rooms, the art room and multiple offices Jan. 15 after the building lost heat.

Jeff Voeller, director of operations for the Coeur d’Alene School District, said the remediation and repair timeline is not yet finalized. He said the district is working with the insurance adjuster to determine the next steps to complete repairs.

“We don’t yet have a cost associated with cleanup and repairs,” he said.

The district is working with Burke’s Restoration to remediate the water damage in the building, Voeller said. So far, sections of damaged drywall have been removed in areas that flooded. Cabinets and carpet have also been removed. Fans and dehumidifiers are running to help the drying process, along with air scrubbers to monitor the moisture content in the impacted areas.

Drying and remediation are expected to be complete this week, Voeller said.

While remediation continues, classes impacted by the water damaged have moved to the library, an open classroom and other spaces throughout the school. For art classes and STEM labs, teachers bring supplies from classroom to classroom.

Principal Kathy Livingston said staff have volunteered their time to help make the relocated learning spaces as welcoming as possible. She described staff giving a “spa day” to stuffed animals that were soaked in the flood, washing and drying the toys so students can use them as “reading buddies” once more.

“Some came in on their snow day to organize the classroom spaces with a teacher who was moving into an alternate location,” Livingston said. “The extra set of hands and partnership was so helpful.”

Livingston said teachers at Fernan are trying to maintain normal classroom routines and student learning during this period.

“Their positive attitudes and gratitude have been commendable throughout this process,” she said. “We have also felt fortunate to have so many generous people reaching out to Fernan in support.”