When the waters rise in the Troy School District, a sense of worry washes over parents, students and staff. From the Troy High School to Hamilton Elementary, the Troy School District flooding, while often viewed as challenging and a disruption to daily school life, creates unexpected opportunities for both students and staff. In the face of such adversity, teachers and students find new ways to adapt and collaborate with students, and learn.
When flooding strikes the Troy School District, some schools are forced to adapt quickly to ensure safety of the students. For example, when Hamilton Elementary experienced flooding in the classrooms, teachers and students relocated to Troy High School classrooms, transforming the space into a temporary learning environment.
Similarly, at Troy High School, the cafeteria was flooded, requiring students to eat in other alternative spaces. Another flooding incident, this time on the main floor of Troy High School, affected the area near the lockers and flooded surrounding classrooms.
Students in Troy High School have expressed growing concern over the recurring flooding issues that have disrupted their school year. Many students are left questioning why these issues seem to be recurring and increasingly disruptive.
Senior Hannah Dorner, questions, “How do they keep letting it get that bad,” as she reflects on the flooding at both Hamilton Elementary and the cafeteria at Troy High School. Dorner also remarked, “It’s kinda crazy how often it happens,” and went on to wonder if there is something wrong with the school.
Similarly, senior Stella Galbraith voiced her concerns, stating, “it was gross, [and] doesn’t seem very sanitary,” expressing concern over the cleanliness and safety of her school environment.
While some teachers expressed concern, others saw the flooding as an opportunity for creative learning experiences. Justin Nelson, a Troy High School teacher, admitted his first reaction was worrisome, suspecting that students were involved or a structural problem with the building. However, he later recognized the unique opportunities that he could take advantage of. “If anything, it gave opportunities to do some cool kind of cross-grade level stuff with high school students on certain things,” adding that it was “pretty successful.”
Galbraith, reflected on the experience of the younger students visiting, noting how the kids were fun to be around. “I think that it was kind of annoying that we couldn’t use some parts of our school. But they had some good tea when I went to visit them.” Despite the inconveniences, she found the situation to have its bright moments.
When asked about the impact of flooding on the Troy High School, Remo Roncone, Troy High School principle explained how the school adapted to the challenges, noting that while there were some disruptions, it was manageable.
“We had to make some adjustments, and we didn’t have access to a few spaces,” Roncone shared. However, the situation wasn’t as difficult as he initially expected, thanks to the graduation of the 500 Troy High School students. “If anything, it enhanced some of our classes that were looking to partner with the elementary kids,” he said, highlighting the positive side of having 500 new elementary school students.
Regarding the flooding of the Troy High School cafeteria, Roncone provided clarity on what caused the issue and how it was quickly addressed. “A pipe had either come apart or wasn’t properly connected at some point,” he explained.
Water from the roof leaked into the cafeteria, pooling underneath instead of draining properly. Thankfully, the flooding was contained to the eating area, and was fixed before school started. The principal also noted that the cafeteria had been expanded approximately 12 to 13 years ago, which was when the break in the pipe likely occurred. However, he expressed that the issue is now fully corrected. Despite this, Roncone was confident that the problem had been fully resolved.
In addition to fixing immediate issues, Roncone shared how the district is taking proactive steps to prevent future flooding. For example, the replacement of Troy High Schools’ roof. “The good news is that in the summer of 2024, the entire roof of Troy High was replaced,” he explained, recognizing that older buildings, particularly those with flat roofs, are more susceptible to water damage. He continues to make an effort to reassure everyone that regular maintenance and inspections are parts of the ongoing efforts to minimize the risk of flooding in the future.
Overall, the flooding incidents in the Troy School District have caused both challenges and opportunities. On the negative side, students have expressed concerns about the impact on their school experience, with some questioning the frequency and severity of the flooding. Issues like the cafeteria flooding and the relocation of Hamilton Elementary students have caused disruptions, affecting the daily routine for many.
However, these challenges have also sparked creative problem-solving and collaboration. The relocation of younger students allowed for cross-grade interactions, and the district’s efforts to repair and maintain the schools, such as replacing the roof at Troy High School, show proactive steps toward preventing further issues. Moving forward, the district’s ability to balance these challenges with solutions will be key in maintaining a stable learning environment.
