Washougal School District Facilities Director Jessica Beehner and her staff received an unwelcome Christmas gift this year.
A district employee entered Washougal High School during the district’s 2022-23 winter break and quickly discovered the high school’s aging roof had sprung “multiple leaks,” which caused extensive water damage the school district is still repairing.
“You could physically see water leaking from the ceiling, and the carpet was soaking wet,” Beehner said. “The leaks ended up causing interior damage as well, so it wasn’t just the roof that had to get patched.”
The leaks damaged walls and ceilings inside the school and destroyed some library books, Beehner said.
“For a couple of weeks in January, we had tarps up there because the weather was just too bad,” she added. “It had a big effect. It definitely changed what we have planned project-wise for winter break.”