Broadneck High Recovering After Flooding

is under repairs after a water valve failed, releasing thousands of gallons of water overnight on Aug. 3.

The damage occurred while . Workers had diverted water while they worked on pipes, but a 20-year-old water valve failed overnight while they were away, Principal David G. Smith said.

It was more than 12 hours before a custodian arrived the next day and discovered standing water. The total damages are assessed at $173,000, according to records from the Anne Arundel County School System's facilities department.

"If he hadn't found it on Saturday, then it would have kept going until Monday. It could have been much worse," Smith said.

Smith said the damage occurred on the second floor and seeped down into the rooms below it. Several rooms were damaged, but the most extensive damage was done to the guidance counselors rooms.

Those employees have been working out of a temporary room throughout the week. Smith said the makeshift setup hasn't deterred guidance counselors from preparing students for the start of school later this month.

"They were back to work full-tilt within a few hours," Smith said. "As bad as it was, we're continuing to go about our business."

Throughout the week, industrial-sized fans were put to work airing out the affected rooms, while more than 900 ceiling tiles were removed to facilitate the drying process. Workers are now beginning to install carpets and replace damaged furniture.

Smith said he was grateful that the school system was able to get repair work started so quickly, and he is optimistic about the speed of the repairs. The principal said he expects no delays to the opening of school on Aug. 27 to freshman. The school will be open to all grade levels on Aug. 28.

Years of being an educator have prepared Smith for such disasters, he said. Last year, students dealt with an earthquake and a hurricane near the start of the school year.

"You learn real quick in this job that no two days are ever the same," he said.