Snow caused millions in damage

Snow took its toll on Spokane County public schools last winter, causing about $4 million in damage.

Repairing cracked drywall, stained ceiling tiles, damaged rain gutters and leaky roofs will cost Spokane Public Schools an estimated $866,000, said Jason Conley, the schools’ director of safety, security and transportation. However, the district continues to assess damages, and the cost could rise.

Damages at the other school districts in Spokane County stood at $3.3 million, according to a news report in January. Spokane Public Schools released its damage estimate this week.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pick up some of the costs because a federal disaster was declared, officials said. Insurance likely will pick up the remainder.

Following the December snow storm, sliding and heavy snow caused much of the damage in Spokane Public Schools.

“In one case, the snow came sliding down a metal roof, hit a vent then bent a (roof) beam,” Conley said. “We had a lot of rain gutter damage from the snow melting off the roof.”

Drywall at 16 schools cracked under the weight of the snow.