Plans Still Uncertain For Guilford County Schools Damaged By April Tornado

Students are returning to class in Guilford County next week, many having been relocated after an EF-2 tornado damaged several schools in April.

One of the schools was Peeler Open Elementary. Students were relocated to Bluford STEM Academy, just a few minutes away. Both schools are magnets, and have high percentages of students dealing with poverty.

"We're trying to make sure that every child will have the supplies that they need to get the school year started and parents won't have to buy anything for the first semester,” says Principal Gradesa Lockhart. “We've had a lot of community support and we've been able to expand our food and clothing pantries for families.”

Lockhart says Peeler lost some students from this past school year, but the total population for both of them is less than 600.

She says they're still waiting for information on what will happen next year, and hopes Peeler stays in the community.

“The goal is to maintain the magnet themes at this site, both of them equally, and move forward with increasing them as we get facility decisions made. We're planning marketing for the magnets and parent visits and are waiting for guidance from the district for the 2019-2020 school year,” says Lockhart.

Students at Erwin Montessori and Hampton elementary schools were also relocated after the tornado. The district says it's working with its insurance carrier to determine the total damages. No decisions have been made yet on rebuilding the schools.

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