DOVER, Del. --- Leaders in the Capital School District are seeking state support for the cost of repairs needed to reopen William Henry Middle School after it was damaged this year by a tornado, though the state and school district are not on currently on the same page about how much money is readily available for the project.
Sylvia Henderson, interim superintendent for the Capital School District, said the state has estimated $6.3 million worth of repairs to storm damage from a tornado in August may be covered by its insurance. The bad weather led to significant damage to the building's roof.
However, she said the district learned during the cleanup process that there were other problems with the building that must be fixed in order for the city to allow the building to be reopened.
"We never expected this we never expected this to be and a pandemic and then have a natural disaster take out a school is is just unheard of," she said. "It's unthinkable. It's unimaginable."
The school district is working with state lawmakers to look for funding opportunities and a possible interim location for students, should the school not reopen in time for the Fall 2021 semester.
