MINOT, N.D. — Mark Vollmer is stepping into a mess in his first year as superintendent of public schools in Minot, N.D.
Minot schools open their doors on Tuesday, a week behind schedule after the worst flooding in the city’s history.
The Souris (SUR’-ihs) River waters that pushed 11,000 people from their homes and damaged hundreds of businesses also took a heavy toll on schools. Three of six damaged schools could be beyond saving.
Nearly 20 percent of the district’s 7,000 students will attend classes in replacement classrooms set up around town.
Vollmer says the start of school will be a relief to students whose lives remain chaotic more than two months after the flooding hit.