Acting Superintendent comments on Winters Elementary being closed

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — On Monday, a burst heating coil caused water to pump for “multiple hours” from the third floor, down to the first floor of the brand new Henry J. Winters Elementary school in Pawtucket.

The acting Superintendent, Lisa Bendetti-Ramzi told ABC 6 News, “It’s disappointing, it’s incredibly frustrating, it’s disappointing, and it’s not anything that we could’ve foreseen, or even planned for.”

The students of Winters Elementary are no stranger to obstacles.

Back in the summer, the grand opening of the school was delayed a week since construction hadn’t been completed.

The Gilbane Building Company released a statement in response to the burst saying, “Gilbane has a long-standing record of building high quality schools throughout the state. We are working closely with the district administration to oversee the completion of repairs as fast as possible to restore this school and put students back in the classroom.”

“The amount of work that they have been able to do in a short amount of time is absolutely incredible,” Bendetti-Ramzi continued.

She also added that Gilbane has taken over repairs completely.

As of now, the students are learning at home and online with their teachers.

“I think our response has got to be what our response is and it’s to get a safe building, delivered back to the students and families of Pawtucket,” Bendetti-Ramzi said.

The students will be out for this next academic week, and then have February vacation.

Staff hopes the school will be open for everyone to come back again, Feb. 27.

School board staff also told ABC 6 News there will be a school meeting Tuesday Feb. 14 at the Jenks Middle School media center at 6pm that is open to the public.

An update should be announced regarding Winters Elementary then.