Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School still undergoing repairs

WITTENBERG - It's the first day of school at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, but students and staff have been forced to make some adjustments after storms damaged the building during the summer.

“The students are back so we're definitely exercising some flexibility,” said Superintendent Garrett Rogowski.

The gymnasium remains dark, and there is an active construction site on top of the building.

It’s all because 70 to 80 mile per hour straight line winds caused major damage to the school roof July 20th. Rain water leaked inside ruining the gymnasium floor, the commons area and auditorium, plus some computers.

“We certainly had a plan going into the start of the school year, and this has created a little extra time and effort on our part,” said Rogowski.

The ongoing work is impacting sports like volleyball.

“We have to actually play our first game at the middle school tomorrow night,” said senior Rehanah Vera.

No gym means moving volleyball matches. Physical Education classes have also been impacted.

“The first few weeks of school, we're hoping for good weather. We'll get outside which we're typically at anyway. Not having the gym is a little inconvenient right now for our classes,” said Physical Education teacher Chuck Wavrunek.

Inside some classrooms, teachers are finding the roof work makes it difficult to teach.

“The noise, it sounds like there's a thunder rumble always coming through. So the kids have to pay extra attention. You have to talk extra loud,” explained English teacher Colleen Berkhahn.

Some students said they don’t mind the disruptions, while others find the noise an annoyance.

“It's school. We're supposed to be trying to learn, and it's like you got somebody working on the roof and it's hard to concentrate,” said junior Rachel Neely.

Rogowski said the roof is sealed and contractors are now working on tying up loose ends. He expects the work to be complete by late next week.

”You just have to deal with it. I mean adversity is adversity. You deal with it all your life,” said math teacher Kurt Zeinert.

The situation is a lesson in patience, and it’s one this school hopes it won't have to learn again.

School district officials say they won't know the cost of the damage for another couple of weeks, but expect it to be in the six figures.