A leaking roof keeps Conne River school closed

A badly leaking roof has kept classrooms in Conne River empty for a second day in a row, leaving 185 students stuck at home.

Water seeped its way through the Se'ta'newey Schools roof, despite the staff's best efforts to keep the water out after heavy rains hit the South Coast.

We got up and took off all the snow we could off the roof to minimize any damage. But the ice that had formed created ice dams, and the water just backed up. Mother nature's going to find a way to release its water and it came in, instead of out, said Rod Jeddore, director of education.

The schools library was the hardest hit with countless books, and three computers damaged.

Eight other classrooms and offices were also closed.

Jeddore said this is the third big leak at the school since Christmas, and the cost of repairs are adding up.

We don't have a costing of what it is exactly, but any cost is too much. Given the age of the building, it's not going to get better, it's only going to get worse, said Jeddore.

The Miawpukek First Nation have spent the last year lobbying for a new school to replace the current one which is between 30 and50 years old.

We need all of those people going out, and finding jobs, and we have to help them do that. But if the school is falling apartwe can't do that, and that's the bottom line, said Chief Mi'sel Joe.

Repair crews hope to reopen parts of the school by Wednesday.