Ruidoso Municipal Schools began its new school year as the community continues to recover from significant burn scar flooding.Superintendent Becca Ferguson spoke ahead of the first day on how it has impacted dozens within the student body and staff directly.”We had multiple employees who lost their homes,” Ferguson said. “We had 56 students that are displaced at hotels and motels around Ruidoso. So there was a lot of devastation in Ruidoso.”No school buildings have experienced damage amid the flash flooding this monsoon season. However, Ferguson did say the high school softball field was a total loss.The school district is in the middle of a yearslong plan for student achievement. Ferguson said their focus has been getting all grade levels to grow 5% in reading and math. “We did great this last year regarding achievement,” Ferguson said. “I’m very proud of our teachers and our students.”New flooding protocols are also in place for the school district this year. They include three levels, dependent on flooding severity.Level one: flood watchSchools will continue normal operations if a flood watch is issued. A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding to occur in an area but has not happened.Video below: Differences between flood watches and warningsLevel two: flood warningSchools will go into a weather-in-place during a flood warning. That means students and staff will remain on campus until conditions for travel are deemed safe.Parents or authorized contacts may pick up their children during a flood warning. However, Ruidoso High School will not be released to drive off campus.An issued flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.Level three: flood emergencySchools will continue to be in a weather-in-place if a flood emergency is issued. Students and staff will remain on campus until travel conditions improve.A flood emergency means flooding is occurring and water rescues are in progress. Roadways and bridges may also be impacted and closed during the flooding.Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. You can download it here.
Ruidoso Municipal Schools began its new school year as the community continues to recover from significant burn scar flooding.
Superintendent Becca Ferguson spoke ahead of the first day on how it has impacted dozens within the student body and staff directly.
“We had multiple employees who lost their homes,” Ferguson said. “We had 56 students that are displaced at hotels and motels around Ruidoso. So there was a lot of devastation in Ruidoso.”
No school buildings have experienced damage amid the flash flooding this monsoon season. However, Ferguson did say the high school softball field was a total loss.
The school district is in the middle of a yearslong plan for student achievement. Ferguson said their focus has been getting all grade levels to grow 5% in reading and math.
“We did great this last year regarding achievement,” Ferguson said. “I’m very proud of our teachers and our students.”
New flooding protocols are also in place for the school district this year. They include three levels, dependent on flooding severity.
Level one: flood watch
Schools will continue normal operations if a flood watch is issued. A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding to occur in an area but has not happened.
Video below: Differences between flood watches and warnings
Level two: flood warning
Schools will go into a weather-in-place during a flood warning. That means students and staff will remain on campus until conditions for travel are deemed safe.
Parents or authorized contacts may pick up their children during a flood warning. However, Ruidoso High School will not be released to drive off campus.
An issued flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring.
Level three: flood emergency
Schools will continue to be in a weather-in-place if a flood emergency is issued. Students and staff will remain on campus until travel conditions improve.
A flood emergency means flooding is occurring and water rescues are in progress. Roadways and bridges may also be impacted and closed during the flooding.
Stay updated on the latest news with the KOAT app. You can download it here.
