CCISD maintenance crew discovers ruptured water line, prevents further flooding

By Wendy Sledd

Pre-planned repeated cold weather inspections by Copperas Cove ISD maintenance staff prevented further damage to one of the district’s schools when a ruptured water line was discovered at Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy. 

“We are very appreciative to our maintenance employees who worked through the holidays regularly checking on our facilities due to the unusually cold temperatures,” CCISD Superintendent Joe Burns said. “Had these dedicated employees not discovered the leak in the line, the damage at the school could have been much more extensive.”

On Christmas Eve, a water line ruptured at Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy causing flooding in the front office area, front hallway restrooms and 16 classrooms. The school provides instruction to the district’s prekindergarten students. 

“The maintenance staff and the deputy superintendent of operations and support worked into the early morning hours of Christmas day to get water out of the building.The restoration company has been on site since Monday removing excess water and dehumidifying the building,” Burns said.  

Due to the extent of the damage, restoration is expected to take four weeks. Quality instruction for CCISD’s prekindergarten students will continue at Fairview/Miss Jewell Elementary, Martin Walker Elementary, and Williams/Ledger Elementary Schools. Mae Stevens teachers are personally contacting each of their students’ parents to share information on which school their students will be attending, said Burns. 

“Our pre-K students will experience no disruption to their school schedule and will have the same start and end times to the school day,” Burns said. “Buses will continue to pick them up and meals will continue to be provided. Students will continue to receive quality instruction from the same teachers they have come to know and trust this school year.”