East Valley school flooded with issues first week back
Children in the Coachella Valley Unified School District kicked of the new school year Monday.
More than 1,000 students and staff at Mountain Vista Elementary School in Indio got flooded with more than just back to school jitters Monday.
Heavy rain flooded the playground and the administration office of the school. The district said water also flooded several district buildings and damaged classrooms at Palm View and Mountain Vista Elementaries.
Mountain Vista School Principal Valerie Perez said she considered cancelling the first day of school Monday, but fortunately, classes carried on as usual.
The hardest hit area was the cafeteria where more than 2 to 3 inches of water piled up and fans ran to help dry up the mess.
“It’s covered in plastic until it’s completely done. It has a musty or mildew odor. As a precaution we’re not having students eat in the multipurpose room. We have alternative placement for them,” said Perez.
With the multi-purpose room closed the students ate in their classrooms or outside under shade shelters.
The district said it’s been a rocky beginning, but a team effort to get a clean start.
“Our motto is riding the wave of success, we definitely rode that wave yesterday. We were able to have a wonderful first day back at school even if it was wet,” said Perez.
