Broken Pipe Won’t Dampen Spirits at Dunne

It seems to be lifting them, actually. The Catholic school shut its doors and moved classes online for today and Tuesday, thanks to a burst main that has yet to be located  — and is presumably still spouting water like there’s no tomorrow. Pun.

[Update, procured about 3 seconds after I wrote this post: The culprit-pipe has been found, right under a mulberry tree that'll have to go, unfortunately. And repairs won't be hasty.]

This was only a day-and-a-half school week anyway, adds Dunne spokeswoman Judy Porter, so “it tells you God is looking out for us. If we’re going to miss a day and a half of in-school classes, we may as well do ‘em online. Everyone’s logging in and Skyping with their teachers, and we’re all getting work done.”

The campus closed briefly last summer, too, in the wake of AC problems that were also caused by a burst pipe, plus an aging HVAC system. But there’s good news on that front, too. Per a letter to staffers today from school president Kate Dailey:

I am very glad to let you know that the engineering report for our HVAC system is finalized and we are in the final plans for approval for a $3.5 million project that will completely replace our HVAC system, remove all asbestos, bring classrooms up to LEED standards for excellent learning environments in classrooms, replace ceilings and lighting, and put new flooring in place.

The Dunne powers-that-be have concluded that today’s ordeal relates to a city-owned water main. But after 50-odd years with the same HVAC setup, well, maybe they’re tempting fate.