Newsroom

Grafton Complex Status Update

Monday’s fire, though contained to the electrical room, resulted in a total loss of the main electrical distribution panel for the complex leaving the building without power. While smoke spread through the entire complex, the only sprinkler heads activated were those in the electrical room. The greatest impact of the smoke damage is on the middle school side of the complex.

Division staff have been working through the week to develop a restoration plan for the facility as well as the plan for returning students to instruction as soon as possible. This work has involved constant communication and coordination with the York County Department of Fire & Life Safety, Dominion Energy, county officials, insurance companies, engineers and electrical contractors. During this morning's planning session, these teams determined that restoring even temporary power to the complex will take months.

While we had initially hoped to share our plan tonight for returning students to class, this extended timetable for repair - and its impact on our contingency plans - must be considered as part of our decision. Our team is very close to a solution, and our goal is to meet state-mandated instructional requirements without affecting spring break and without extending beyond the current last day of the school year.

We will provide our next update, which will include information on when and how students will be back in classrooms, before the end of the day tomorrow, Friday, February 7, 2020.We also want to share that Dr. Shandor, division superintendent, and members of the York County School Division's operations team discussed multiple status updates on camera today to help answer our community's questions as thoroughly as possible. That video is now available online.

We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work to resolve this situation with the best interest of all our students in mind.