DANVILLE— Danville School District 118 will not receive insurance money to help with summer tornado damage.
In June, a tornado ripped half the gym roof off Mark Denman Early Learning Center.
Building and Grounds Director Tyler Weidenburner said during District 118 Board of Education’s meeting last week, the district has to spend thousands itself before the insurance coverage kicks in.
“It’s out of pocket. Our deductible was $343,000,” he explained.
Weidenburner said he also asked the state about receiving an emergency grant, but that request never progressed.
The Danville Board of Education approved a contract for the repair Wednesday. Mattoon-based Industrial Services of Illinois will replace the damaged roof section for $199,736. Another company also submitted a bid to do the partial roof replacement for a higher cost.
Weidenburner expects the work to start soon and conclude by the end of November.
In an email on Monday, he said that the school district repaired the roof enough to make it watertight immediately after the storm, and classes have continued in the gym.
Mark Denman was an elementary school last year. It now serves children who are kindergarten age and younger. The district announced in May that it was making the change to improve pre-K services and balance class sizes across the remaining elementaries.