Sonora Elementary Moves Forward

Sonora, CA — Sonora Elementary School Superintendent Leigh Shampain says several classrooms will be out of commission through at least this school year.

Over the coming weeks, the district will bring in four portable classrooms, and shift students to various areas of the school grounds.

“All of the classes will start after Thanksgiving break on this campus, but some will be in different classrooms,” says Shampain. Seven rooms in the F building will be closed through at least this school year. Officials are still analyzing the structure damage to determine if the F building can be salvaged, or if it needs to be torn down and replaced.

Many classrooms in the neighboring D and E buildings are being cleaned, and students should be able to move back in by the end of next month’s winter break. In the meantime, school officials will make do with the available space around campus.

Kintergarden students will also be moved to a half day schedule up through winter break.
When it comes to the total dollar damage, Shampain says, “It’s really too early to tell. We’ve got estimates, just for the cleanup, around half a million dollars. When you’re looking at restoration or new construction, it would easily be over a million dollars.”

He adds, “We’re really appreciative of the flexibility of the teachers and the amount of caring calls received from parents and the community.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. A Sonora Fire Department official called it “suspicious in nature.”