East Chicago elementary students remain split between schools following Aug. 11 storms

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (WLS) -- Parents of Lincoln Elementary School students are demanding answers about when their children can return to their classrooms after summer storms damaged the school and forced students to attend classes in other buildings.

Students have spent weeks divided between Washington Elementary and Block Junior High School following the storm damage.

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Ajira Johnson, a parent, said the sudden disruption has been confusing for her kindergarten-age son.

"It's kind of confusing because my son is in kindergarten. He went to school one day. Then, the next day, that's when the storm happened," Johnson said.

School board member Pattie Jo Gibson-King said Lincoln was in bad shape even before the Aug. 11 storm, citing standing water and mold. She said there is still no clear timeline for students to return.

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"There's no answers. No one is being held accountable. No one is talking to the parents," she said.

Board member Jesse Gomez said limited information has made it difficult to provide parents with answers. He said the disruption is affecting an already underserved community.

"The kids miss out on that instructional time. It's been a stress for the staff as well who's had to move over and get acclimated to another building. They're only going to be in there another few weeks, and then, they've got to go back. It's been very disruptive," Gomez said.

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Superintendent Stephen Bournes said the district is working through damage from the August storms, including flooded mechanical rooms and problems with HVAC, plumbing, and electricity.

Bournes said repairs are progressing as planned and that he anticipates Lincoln students and staff will return sometime in October. He said the district does not want to provide a firm date until it knows construction will be complete.

Students are scheduled for e-learning on Wednesday as the district continues working through the closures. A town hall is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Gillis Vocational Center.