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Flood-damaged Washington Elementary unlikely to reopen for 2026–27; district outlines stabilization, costs and student moves
Summary
Superintendent and finance staff told the Janesville School Board the April natural disaster left Washington Elementary without regular power and in need of stabilization and major repairs; administration said students will not return to the building for the 2026–27 school year while costs are refined (restoration ROMs likely exceed $3 million).
Superintendent Hollesman and finance director Dan McCrae told the Janesville School District board on June 9 that Washington Elementary suffered significant facility damage in the April 17 natural disaster and will not be available for the 2026–27 school year.
Hollesman said the building currently “does not have power” and that temporary power is being supplied by a rented generator, which is being transitioned to a lower-cost vendor. He told the board crews and contractors (SERVPRO and district partners) have begun cleaning and stabilization work and that administrative notification to staff and families stated the building cannot be used next school year.
Dan McCrae provided early cost figures and a planning timeline. He described the numbers as rough-order-of-magnitude estimates intended for short-range planning: the district has recorded roughly $83,000 in cleaning costs and about $150,000 in insurance receipts so far, has identified approximately $350,000 in immediate stabilization needs, and estimates full restoration costs ‘‘most likely north of $3 million.’’ McCrae emphasized those are ROM values rather than bid prices and that additional operating costs — for example, transportation for relocated students and replacement of lost classroom and therapy supplies — will add to the total.
District staff said the building lacks usual electrical distribution and depends on generator power for fans and limited lighting; obtaining the replacement switch gear and completing electrical work could take ‘‘30 to 40 weeks,’’ the administration said. Stabilization work already in progress includes cleaning air-handling equipment, hooking temporary power to HVAC to prevent freeze and mold, and ensuring fire-alarm systems are addressed so staff can safely be on-site for relocation activities.
Hollesman said the administration has proposed interim student assignments for 2026–27: K–3 students would be assigned to Adams and grades 4–5 to Madison, with an administrative goal of minimizing family disruption by grouping siblings in the same temporary building when possible. A parent meeting and follow-up survey were scheduled to gather family preferences for the temporary assignments.
Board members acknowledged the emotional and community impact of losing a neighborhood school and praised district staff and community partners for emergency response and student supports. Commissioners asked whether external funding sources could offset costs; Hollesman noted the governor had applied for federal emergency relief but said the outcome was uncertain and not a funding guarantee.
Next steps described by administration include a district workshop to firm restoration ROMs and schedule decisions, continued stabilization work to protect the building from further damage, and coordinated outreach to families about transportation and program continuity. The board also approved directing year-end unspent dollars to reserve funds (see separate article on fund deposits) to help cover unbudgeted expenses tied to the incident.
The district emphasized that the restoration timeline and final cost estimates will be refined over the coming weeks and that the board will receive updated information at the planned workshop.
