Fairfield Ludlowe High School Will Be Closed Friday

Update, 2:33 p.m.

According to the Fairfield Public Schools website, Fairfield Ludlowe High School will be closed to students and faculty on Friday.

Twelve-month staff are still to report.

Update, 2:30 p.m.

[The following is a press release from Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Title.]

During the early morning hours of January 31 a section of the Fairfield Ludlowe High School roof rubber membrane was dislodged due to high winds and rain. The affected area contains approximately 15 classrooms on the second floor of Warner House. The extent of this damage was not known until the buses had already started their morning runs, so students in the affected classrooms were relocated to the gymnasium and all other classes ran as scheduled. School was dismissed for all students at 10:15 a.m.

Immediately after the discovery of the extent of the damage, the school district's roof contractor was on the scene to assess the damage. Members of the school district's maintenance crews worked to begin the mitigation process. The Fire Department, Building Department and other mechanical contractors were on the scene to assess the damage and provide assistance. The town's insurance carrier was also notified and a representative from that firm is on site.

The school district, in conjunction with its contractors and insurance carrier, is developing a mitigation and restoration plan for the school. The school district's central office team, along with the Fairfield Ludlowe High School administration, is developing a plan for the relocation of classes in the affected areas when the school is cleared to reopen.

Other sections of the building not affected by this damage remain open. The "Rebound for Newtown" fundraiser scheduled for this evening is still on.

A decision about whether or not Fairfield Ludlowe High School will open on Friday will be made as soon as possible and communicated through our normal channels.

Update, 1:49 p.m.

[The following letter was posted by Fairfield Ludlowe High School Headmaster Greg Hatzis on the school's website.]

"In the early morning hours of January 31, storm winds blew off a section of the rubber membrane on the FLHS roof. The affected area is above a main hallway in the second floor (Warner House). This left a portion of the building without a moisture barrier and the rain from the storm entered the building. This hallway contains fifteen classrooms, about ten of which sustained some water damage.

Over the course of the morning, the situation worsened quickly, but at that point the busses had already begun their runs and it was too late to cancel school. We directed all students who had classes on the entire second floor to the gymnasium. Our administrative team, district maintenance department, and central office administration were on the scene quickly to assist with damage assessment and securing the building to maintain the safety of all students. No students or staff were ever in the part of the building that was affected. No one was injured or ever in danger of injury.

Once the damage was assessed we determined that we would not be able to relocate the fifteen classrooms, and the situation would cause too much disruption to run school throughout the day. Busses were called back to FLHS as quickly as possible so we could dismiss students at 10:15.

Worsening the situation, our Central Office was without power this morning, affecting our server and leaving us without internet connectivity to get messages out. We utilized the K12 Alerts system to inform parents.

Contractors and the insurance company are on site to further assess the damage, and a mitigation and remediation plan is being crafted. We are also working closely with the town building and fire departments to ensure all areas are deemed safe to occupy the building again. The administrative team is working on a plan to relocate classrooms once we call school back in session.

Please note that the building has been cleared to host after-school activities, practices, and sporting events, and other special events over the coming days that are not in the affected area. Our Course Information Night scheduled for Fairfield Warde High School at 7:00 p.m. this evening will still be held.

As soon as we know information about when school will resume, we will utilize our usual channels of communication. Look for updates on the school website as well.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to create a safe environment for learning in our school."

Update, 12:15 p.m.

According to Fairfield Ludlowe High School's student newspaper, FLHS Prospect, members of the district's Central Office and Ludlowe staff are meeting to discuss the damage wrought on a portion of Ludlowe's roof by last night's wind storm.

Headmaster Greg Hatzis confirmed that part of the roof over the second floor (Warner House) blew off and flooding ensued, according to the Prospect. Parts of the classrooms and hallways in that area of the school are believed to be wet/partially flooded.

The full extent of the damage is still unknown. Central Office and the Alternative High School remain closed and without power.

Original Story

[Editor's note: The following is a release from the First Selectman's Office.]

First Selectman Mike Tetreau announced today that overnight there was significant wind damage to the roof on one of the wings at Fairfield Ludlowe High School (FLHS).

FLHS will have an early dismissal today, Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 10:15 am.

Communications are complicated by the fact that Central Office is without power.  Central Office, which is located on Kings Highway East, and the alternative high school, which is located on Biro Street, are closed today due to the power outage.

Please stay tuned to further information and updates throughout the day.