Lawrence School District will reopen Tuesday

After being closed for more than two weeks due to Hurricane Sandy, which included Election Day and Veterans Day,the Lawrence School District is reopening all of its schools Tuesday.

Superintendent Gary Schall officially announced the reopening on Monday. All public and private school transportation will also resume, he said.

"The coordinator of Health and Safety for Nassau BOCES said the extent of our damage is minimal comparative to other school districts," Schall said.

The high school auditorium sustained damage to its floor and stage, which resulted in the postponing of the school show while repairs are made. The school's air conditioning unit also needs to be fixed. There are two sinkholes outside the high school caused by overflowing water that ruptured pipes, but that damage is contained, Schall said. A skylight at the middle school was damaged and the weather vane was knocked off. All the elementary schools are good, he added.

The primary problem was no power. Much of the Five Towns area has been restored.

Schall also said that he anticipates many students n to be back in school Tuesday as those families that evacuated have returned. Some families are living with other relatives or friends and others hunkered down during Sandy and stayed in their homes.

Regarding the school days missed by students, Schall said he is waiting for direction from the State Education Department, but it is likely that the winter break in February could be cancelled as other districts have already done.

"The silver lining is how every part of this community came together," said Schall, who visited students and families throughout the district, including Inwood, Lawrence and Meadowmere Park.