Winter storms in the Pacific Northwest have left schools in Oregon and Washington grappling with significant damages, primarily due to burst pipes caused by freezing temperatures.

However, the degree of disruption varies across different regions and even within individual school districts. In some areas, the return to normalcy might be prolonged, with restoration efforts expected to span several weeks due to the high demand for repair crews.

Among the affected schools, Markham Elementary and Gray Middle School bore the brunt of the damage. The district informed families that these two schools might not reopen until mid-February due to the extensive damage caused by burst pipes and subsequent flooding.

The district emphasized the challenges in securing contractors for repairs and potential abatement measures, underscoring the absence of a comprehensive plan to resume instruction for the hundreds of students impacted by the prolonged closures.

Beyond these schools, Portland's West Hills area experienced considerable damage, which couldn't be swiftly addressed over the weekend like other sites. Ainsworth Elementary remained closed on Monday as staff accommodated students from the annex, where the most significant damage occurred.

Meanwhile, in the Beaverton School District, all schools reopened on Monday, with repairs ongoing at two schools—Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering (BASE) and West Tualatin View Elementary School—as contractors become available. The affected classrooms have been relocated to alternative spaces.

Despite the widespread impact, the Oregon Department of Education does not mandate districts to report on weather-related disruptions or offer statewide relief funds for unexpected damages. Consequently, districts may need to allocate resources from general funds to cover repair costs. 

Information sourced from Oregon Public Broadcasting website. Original story here - https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/22/oregon-washington-school-repairs-winter-storm-ice-burst-pipes-portland-/