Over the Fourth of July holiday, the roof of the Keota Junior High School caught fire, and the process of repairing the damage has become more clear. Superintendent Dennis Phelps said the good news is the floor appears to still be in good working order. This summer, they’ll check it again to make sure it’s not bending or cracking, as well as giving it a more thorough cleaning. They also have welding work to do on the rafters, and they’ll be replacing ceiling tiles that were damaged in the hallways and surrounding rooms. Phelps said their priority is to get the classrooms ready to go before school starts.

The bad news is the gym ceiling is going to have to be completely replaced. Phelps said they had no idea where the damage started and stopped, or how much damage happened underneath with the membrane and insulation. They’ll be replacing the roof in sections to make sure it’s never fully open. Optimistically, Phelps hopes the roof will be finished and the gym will be ready for use by October 1st. In the meantime, the main gym at the high school will be shared by both schools, though the upcoming volleyball tournament to be hosted by Keota has been moved to English Valley.