A damage assessment was issued on a school in Santa Monica, and it reported extensive water damage, mold, dryrot and termite damage in the buildings. Due to the severity of the damage, the school district was left with no choice but to close both the elementary school, and the Alternative K-8 school that are housed on this campus.
School officials have been aware of these maintenance issues for some time. For years, they have been doing minor fixes and repairs. They have also done significant roof repairs and a full deck resurfacing.
During the heavy rains of December, 2021, it became apparent that there was a major problem at the campus. That is when the district hired a nationally known consultant to do a damage assessment.
The report says that the school was improperly waterproofed when it was built back in the 1990s. School officials are optimistic that the buildings can be rebuilt. Some estimates for repairs are starting at $20 million. Replacement costs of the buildings would start at close to $60 million.
They are hoping that the school can reopen in the fall of 2024. In the meantime, the students will have to be bussed to neighboring schools, and the school district is scrambling to hire enough bus drivers to do the job.
