Decision on Public School Opening Expected Sunday

Parents wondering when they can send their kids back to class should have an answer Sunday, according to Superintendent of Schools LeRoy Seitz.

In a message on the Parsippany school district website, the schools chief said an announcement as to whether public schools will open on Monday will come Sunday.

Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to the roof of Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, however, Seitz said the other schools emerged from the major storm with "very little, if any, damage."

"A few schools are without electricity, but other than that [they] are fine," Seitz said in his statement. "Lake Hiawatha had a section of roof torn off by the storm affecting eight classrooms. Fortunately, our custodians and maintenance men were on-site early and covered the roof with tarps making it waterproof."

The superintendent said Lake Hiawatha School's classrooms were relocated to the cafeteria/gym, media center, and faculty room, which means students will not have to be relocated.

"During the time that the cafeteria is being used as classrooms, students will have lunch in their classrooms and alternate arrangements will be made for physical education classes," Seitz said, adding that the district is working with its roofer to have the roof repairs completed as soon as possible.

The superintendent said a decision regarding the post-Sandy re-opening of schools will be announced via the district website, its School Messenger parent communications system and the Parsippany Police Facebook and Twitter pages.

"We know these are unprecedented times and with the support of the Police Department and mayor’s office, we will open our schools as soon as we can be certain that it is safe for our students, teachers, and staff to get to school," said Seitz. "In the near future we will take a look at the district calendar and make any adjustments necessary to address the loss of all three storm days and any additional days we may need at this time."