Napa County Schools Closed As Earthquake Damage Assessment Is Underway; Kids Not Left Behind
NAPA COUNTY (KCBS)— There was no school at Napa Valley Unified School District Monday as a result of Sunday morning's 6.0 earthquake.
Emergency declarations have come from the city of Napa, the county of Napa and from California Gov. Jerry Brown. Work is now underway to determine whether it rises to the level of a national disaster.
Officials are at the district's schools conducting damage assessments to classrooms and school buildings.
Superintendent Patrick Sweeney cancelled classes in order to make way for those inspections. By Monday afternoon, two-third's of the district's 30 schools were inspected and were found to have no structural damage.
Sweeney said at a news conference that the student's safety is the number one priority and that in order for the assessments to be complete by noon on Tuesday, classes would be cancelled on Tuesday (August 26th) as well.
"At most of the schools we have overturned file cabinets we have papers on the ground. In a couple of places there are computers on the ground. We do have some structural damage at a couple of our schools, but as we speak there are structural engineers and architects visiting every school," he said.
Meanwhile, The Boys & Girls Club of Napa Valley at 1515 Pueblo Avenue planned a free day of activities for children. Executive Director Mark Kuhnhausen is inviting school age kids to come on down.
"We want to be able to give kids an opportunity to just have fun, forget about what's going on, and give parents an opportunity for their kids to have a safe place to be here," he said.
Walter Buckner brought his 10-year-old son.
"It's a comprehensive day. It's an exciting day for them because of the various programs. Educational programs, physical fitness programs and the opportunity for them to interact with their peers."
The Boys & Girls Club of American Canyon on Benton Way also opened for a similar day of activities. Schools in American Canyon and Yountville were also closed Monday.
