It has been a week since a tornado chose a perfect path through Chapman KS. and destroyed all of the schools in town --- but it seems to everyone that it has been one long drawn-out day. 

Phase one is the short-term recovery -- having school -- which will likely require mobile classrooms, using the Catholic Church parish hall, portions of damaged buildings and space in three rural grade schools.

We are waiting on insurance, a disaster declaration from the federal government and expert opinions before proceeding with definite plans about specific buildings. A positive note is the District Gym at the Chapman Middle School site, A crew was working on the roof Wednesday and should have it entirely enclosed again by this weekend.  A large amount of books, computers, furniture, etc. have been recovered.  

A construction technology home that was built by students was for sale. Instead, the house will be used as the temporary high school office. We will have it wired for Internet and offices by early next week. 

A downtown Chapman medical office, 413 N. Marshall was offered by the Abilene Memorial Hospital, to be used as the district office.  It has only had electricity for a little more than 24 hours, but we were able to wire it for network and Internet access.  The secretaries moved into it this afternoon and were busy taking care of pressing issues.