Storm Update

Dear Members of the NDCL Family:

Thank you for your texts, phone calls and all expressions of concern and support regarding the impact of last evening’s storm and the damage to the McGarry Gym. As with any rapidly developing story, incomplete and inaccurate information is inevitable. That's why it is important for me to give you, the members of the NDCL Family, the most accurate and up-to-date information on what actually happened and how we are responding to this situation.

This morning Mr. Waler and I met with members of our board's building and grounds committee, NDCL maintenance personnel, our insurer, and the restoration contractor we have engaged.

Here's a summary of what we know at this point:

• On Wednesday at approximately 7:30 PM, a severe thunderstorm moved through Geauga County.
• High winds peeled off a 2,000-square-foot section of roofing material on McGarry Gym. The structural components of the roof remained in place. The roof did not collapse. If you stand in McGarry and look up, you cannot see any obvious hole or opening.
• Although people were in the school building last night, no students or staff were in McGarry at the time of the incident.
• When the roofing material peeled away, it damaged roof drains as well as an exhaust fan, which allowed rainwater to flood the gym floor.
• The Munson Fire Department, Geauga County Sheriff, and safety forces from surrounding communities responded immediately to the scene. We are very grateful for their help and expertise.
• Our maintenance staff and employees of the restoration contractor worked throughout the night to mitigate the water damage to the gym floor.
• The restoration contractor will manage the first phases of the recovery process. Today workers will install a temporary roof in order to stop the infiltration of water and make McGarry safe and sound. More permanent repairs will begin after engineers complete a thorough evaluation of the damage.
• The restoration contractor has also begun the highly technical process of drying out the gymnasium floor. Tests later this week will determine the next steps in that process.

I am deeply grateful to God that no one was injured by the damage last night. I am also grateful for the immediate assistance from our local safety personnel and the NDCL maintenance staff.

I will keep you informed as we learn more about this "summer surprise" on our campus.