As has been noted elsewhere, Mayfield School was inspected by a structural engineer yesterday and is closed until it can be further inspected and fixed.  The MJM has a pretty good article here.  Beyond the obvious, I don’t know why the roof is compromised.  I don’t know if the building is insured or who would be responsible if we have an expensive repair.  I haven’t called the Superintendent to ask; I expect she has enough to do without me pestering her.  We’ll get the facts in due time.

City-wise, this couldn’t have come at a worse time.  Our budget was under incredible strain before the first snow storm and now a second blizzard.  The City Manager estimates that we’ve spent about $1 million between the two storms to clean up and it isn’t finished yet.  Oh, and it’s early February.  Our snow budget was pretty well exhausted during the previous “Storm of the Century” so we will be going into either contingency or fund balance to pay for the clean up.  At some point the feds may reimburse us for some of our costs but we’ll have to cover them in the short run…

In any event, this is going to be a real trial for the schools as they now have to find a place to not only house but continue to educate 1,000 children.  They will need and deserve our thoughts and prayers in the coming days.  Patience on all fronts will be in huge demand.  I’m sure that we’ll do whatever it takes to get the school fixed and back in service.  I want the best for our kids and I know that this, in conjunction with the budget will be a struggle but the sun will shine again. 

It may take a little time but Manassas will throw this burden off and continue to thrive.