TOO WET: Jacinta Waara (9), (left) Shelia Wright (10), Angel Williams (8) and Villiamu Akeimo (10) are upset after their school flooded twice in two months. IMAGE: Antony McArtney
After a flood in early April, dryers and new carpet set the Ministry of Education back $50,000, and the dryers alone will cost $25,000 after last month’s damage, principal Ali Stockwell says.
The 24 room four pupils each wrote a letter, telling of their anger and annoyance with what they say is a poor response by Porirua City Council.
Staff members say the flooding was caused by inadequate drains.
“We’re wasting too much money on these floods,” wrote 10-year-old Villiamu Akeimo.
“Come and clean the drains and make more.”
Ms Stockwell met with Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett last week to discuss the problem and the next course of action.
“We’re trying to ensure students and teachers are working in a healthy environment,” says Ms Stockwell.
“It’s upsetting for teachers to have to work in wet and smelly classrooms.”
Mr Leggett declined to comment on the inadequacy of the school’s drains to contain the flooding, adding: “We are looking at what might be required to solve the problem.”