Huff: Joplin R-8 Schools suffer $100 million plus in damages

In a story posted on the Joplin Globe website, Joplin R-8 Superintendent C. J. Huff is quoted as saying district buildings sustained more than $100 million in damages:

Four Joplin schools were destroyed and six other buildings were damaged by Sunday’s tornado, but the superintendent is vowing that classes will begin as scheduled on Aug. 17.


“We’re trying to take inventory of our assets and determine what it is we have to even use as a school,” Superintendent C.J. Huff said Tuesday. “From that, we will start building a facilities plan, and what structures to focus on first to get them operational and ready to move into this fall. We definitely have a deadline, and we’re looking to make that happen.”

He put the damage to district buildings at more than $100 million. He said the buildings are fully insured.

On Tuesday, structural engineers started making preliminary assessments of the former South Middle School, which was in the path of the storm, with more formal ones to come later. Huff also said he is talking with other districts about the possibility of Joplin students attending there if necessary.