Middle school drying out, waiting on air quality tests

Here's the good news: On Thursday afternoon, the middle school was in the "drying out" phase.

Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore said work crews had identified two new roof leaks that were responsible for much of the recent water damage inside the school. Mr. Messore also said crews were in the process of drying out the affected rooms, and he was hoping to have air quality tests conducted inside the building later in the day on Thursday.

Roof leaks discovered after nor'easter.

If the tests show no problems with the air quality, Mr. Messore said he would be able to have students back in the building on Friday. 

Barrington Middle School students have not been in class since Monday. 

All students district-wide (as well as most students across New England) enjoyed a snow day on Tuesday, as a strong nor'easter worked its way up the coast. Late Tuesday night, custodians checked all six Barrington public schools and discovered significant leaks at the middle school.

Mr. Messore emailed and called parents late Tuesday night, alerting them to the situation and canceling classes at the middle school on Wednesday. Crews were busy all day cleaning up the middle school on Wednesday, but officials said more work was needed and classes were canceled for Thursday.

The superintendent has been in contact with the state department of education regarding the situation and has notified officials there that he will be petitioning, so that local middle school students do not have to make up the missed school days. 

"They understand the situation," said Mr. Messore, of the state officials.

This is the second time the district has petitioned the state to allow certain students to not make up missed days. During the first week of classes in August, there was a flood at Sowams Elementary School. Officials closed that building for a few days while cleanup was underway.