Canton students being bused to Dixfield school

CANTON – While much of the town remains underwater, Canton Elementary School only got a foot of water and ice in its basement.

Town officials began assessing damage there Friday afternoon as floodwaters receded, but students won’t be returning there until next year, Superintendent Thomas Ward said.

“I’m concerned about the boiler and we may have frozen water pipes,” Ward said from his office in Dixfield. “Hopefully, we’ll have a minimum of damage.”

Although two days of flooding shut down their school, Canton Elementary students will still be required to attend school Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22 and 23. The children will be bused to Dixfield Elementary School both days.

Ward said bus routes would remain the same but pickup times may be a few minutes off.

After that, SAD 21 students are on Christmas vacation until Monday, Jan. 5. By then, Ward expects the Canton school to be ready for students again.

“We have all vacation to get Canton Elementary ready,” he said.

As soon as floodwaters recede, crews will bring in portable heaters to thaw pipes and dry out the basement.

“Then they’ll clean it, disinfect it, and make sure it’s safe to put the kids back in there,” Ward added.


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