200 Hall
Recent heavy rain has worsened leaks at Hopkinsville High School in the last few days, but the school system contends the situation may not be as dire as some accounts on social media indicate.
WHOP News went to the school Wednesday and found trash cans still positioned to catch water leaking into the 100 and 200 halls.
Chief Operations Officer Brad Hawkins says some of the photos making the rounds on Facebook and elsewhere are from just after Spring Break a few years ago, but says the district has been and continues to address roof issues.
One particular photo of a filthy student bathroom is from years ago, according to Hawkins, who claims that bathroom was closed to students when the photo was taken and someone would have had to have broken in to take the photo. The bathroom in question could use some fresh paint, but was not filthy or in a state of extreme disrepair on Wednesday.
The Hopkinsville High cafeteria has been reroofed, but Hawkins acknowledges water has accumulated in the block walls adjoining the 300 hall.
Parents have expressed concerns over mold in the school due to discolorations on the walls near leaks, but Hawkins says the air quality has tested as healthy.
While work continues to address real problems, Hawkins contends conditions at Hopkinsville High have not been as bad as social media has portrayed this week.
School System Spokesman John Rittenhouse said there were no active leaks in classrooms that were in use at Hopkinsville High School, as of Wednesday morning.
Families with ongoing concerns about issues at the school can contact the school or central office. WHOP News found evidence of water damage in ceiling tiles, several instances of water in trash cans in the hallways, missing ceiling tiles and discolorations on walls and flooring, which coincides with recent photos and video sent in.
100 Hall