2 Pinellas County schools shut down after Hurricane Helene

Returning to the classroom after Helene

Some schools are faced with rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which will lead to scheduling and other logistical issues for many Bay Area families.

MADERIA BEACH, Fla. - Hurricane Helene’s widespread aftermath is also affecting the Pinellas school system. One faculty member lost their life, and hundreds of teachers suffering flood damage.

Now, two schools, Gulf Beaches Elementary and Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 schools are temporarily shut down, suffering major electrical damage.

"This is unprecedented. The biggest piece is—we’ve had classrooms flood before, water main broke, that’s really easy to fix. It’s the electrical system that was inundated with seawater. The electrical system is 20 feet from the intercoastal so its just gonna take a long time to repair," said Kevin Hendrick, Pinellas County Schools superintendent.

"Gulf Beaches Elementary School will move to Disston Academy in Gulfport. Disston Academy has a small enrollment on its campus of about 70 students and will move to Lealman Academy. The schools have similar themes, and they will be able to co-exist for the foreseeable future," Hendrick says. "Madeira Beach Elementary students will attend Walsingham Elementary School and will attend from 11:40 am to 4:40 pm on a modified double session. Madeira Beach Middle Schools students will attend Osceola Fundamental High School from 12:10 to 5:10 again on a modified double session.

Maderia Beach Fundamental’s principal told FOX 13 it’s a good plan.

"This plan allows students to remain together with their classroom teacher with their school intact. And it allows families to return, to come back. The biggest challenge is the logistic piece and getting students to two locations, but they are close to each other," said Chris Ateek, Madeira Beach Fundamental Principal.

The county will hold two parents meetings on Monday night about the plans.

READ: Pinellas County schools to reopen Monday except for three schools, superintendent says

The principal says he will welcome students back with positivity following the devastation.

"I will tell the students the same thing I would tell them on the first week of school, we are learning together, we are easing into this transition," said Ateek.

"We know that this plan will inconvenience some but relocating is a great impact on students, families and staff, but we will get through this together," said Hendrick.

They hope to have displaced students back in their new schools by Oct. 2.

More information about these temporary changes can be found at the Pinellas County Schools website.

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