4 area schools plan to reopen

AIKEN - Four schools in the Graniteville area will reopen their doors for class again today, but the three closest to the train crash site will remain closed until Friday.

Midland Valley High School, Midland Valley Preparatory School, Aiken County Career and Technology Center and Warrenville Elementary will reopen this morning at regular hours, said Lt. Michael Frank of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

"None of these schools are in the affected area but were closed because of the evacuation and Midland Valley High was used as a shelter," Lt. Frank said.

Leavelle-McCampbell Middle School, Byrd Elementary School and Freedman Parenting Center - all less than one mile from the train wreck site - will remain closed through the end of the week. A meeting will be held Friday to determine whether these schools can be reopened, Lt. Frank said.

No one from the Aiken County School District has been allowed to enter the buildings of the three schools that are still closed, said Troy Nobles, the assistant superintendent of Area 3 schools. Air quality, food storage, wiring, heating and air conditioning systems at the schools will have to be inspected before a decision on reopening them can be made.

Bus routes for pupils who attend Midland Valley High, Aiken County Career and Technology Center and Warrenville Elementary will run as close to a regular schedule as possible today, Mr. Nobles said. But he said the school staff understand that families have been displaced out of their homes and may have to make special arrangements.

"Principals and teachers are sensitive to students in hardships situations and will do what they can to address those situations," Mr. Nobles said.

Although several Aiken County schools in Graniteville have been out for four days already, Frank Roberson, the associate superintendent of instruction for Aiken County schools, said no programs are in jeopardy because of the missed days of instruction.

"In this case, the most important thing is to look at the students' emotional and psychological needs first," Dr. Roberson said. "We are looking at various scenarios at the moment that depend upon how many days the students are out."

When pupils arrive at the reopened Aiken County public schools Wednesday, child psychologists and counselors will be on hand to help them cope with the disaster, said Pat Silva, the director of special education for Aiken County schools.

Bobby Montgomery, the chairman of the executive board for Midland Valley Preparatory, said the four days missed will not threaten any funding or programs at the charter school.

"We're going to take care of our kids and help them in any way that we can," he said.

Reach Karen Ethridge at (803) 648-1395, ext. 109, or karen.ethridge@augustachronicle.com

School closings

Schools closed today through Friday:

 •  Leavelle-McCampbell Middle School

 •  Byrd Elementary School

 •  Freedman Parenting Center

 •  All Aiken County schools will be closed Monday to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Monday will not be used as a makeup day.