Queensland Education and Training Minister, Geoff Wilson said Milton State School, Rocklea State School and Milpera State High School, had sustained extensive damage after being inundated by floodwaters.
“Despite the best efforts of their P&C’s and school communities, countless volunteers, Department of Education and Training staff and Department of
Public Works staff the buildings are just too badly damaged and won’t be ready by the 24th of January,” he said.
“Safety of students and staff is our number one priority and arrangements are in place for students from Milton and Rocklea State Schools and Milpera State High School for classes to be held at nearby schools and TAFEs.”
Students from Milton SS will be accommodated at the Queensland Academy of Science Maths and Technology at Toowong, students from Milpera SHS will be accommodated at Yeronga TAFE, and students from Rocklea SS will go to Moorooka SS.
“State school student will be able to attend school from next Monday regardless of whether their school is open or not,” he said.
“Every state school impacted by flooding is being assessed on a daily basis to determine whether they can open for day one of the new school year.”
According to Mr Wilson a final decision will be made late tomorrow about any other schools which will need to activate their contingency plans.
“Once it’s decided a school can’t open parents and carers will be contacted and the community made aware of the arrangements," he said.
The clean up at most state schools was in full swing and a lot of progress has already been made.
“There are varying degrees of damage and the decision to re-open state schools will be made on a case-by-case basis,” Mr Wilson said.
“Some schools have just minor damage such as soggy carpet which can be replaced quickly while others will need extensive repairs after floodwaters reached the roof.”
He said the job of cleaning schools and getting them ready for next week was being made a lot easier thanks to volunteers made up of students, staff, parents and community members.
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