Neoga students complete first full week back to class after EF-2 tornado damaged schools

NEOGA, Ill. (WAND) - Neoga students completed their first full week back in classes after an EF-2 tornado ripped through school buildings on March 15.

Students and teachers were out of the classrooms for nearly two weeks due to severe damage to the elementary and junior/senior high schools.

On Friday, Neoga Schools Superintendent Kevin Haarman posted an update on Facebook detailing the students’ first week back and the status of school repairs.

The post shares that the school's insurance companies, McLarens and IPMG are managing the cleanup and repairs of the damaged facilities, with an expert team having recently conducted a thorough assessment of the extensive damage.

Once an evaluation is complete, they will present a reconstruction plan to the insurance company and the school district, collaborating closely with district leaders, architects, and engineers.

Due to the project's scale, the design and planning phase may take several months, with more specific timelines to be shared as they become available.

Harrman's post indicates that there is still uncertainty regarding plans for next year, as the Jr./Sr. High School building will not be ready.

The Neoga Community Center and Elementary School are inadequate for long-term use, especially at the Elementary level.

The schools insurance will cover relocation expenses, and discussions with modular companies are underway to add more classroom space to ensure students have suitable learning environments.

For now, the school is focused on making the most of their current setup for the next nine weeks.