Jessieville School District nearing completion on tornado repairs six months later

Jessieville (KATV) — The Jessieville School District is on the verge of fully recovering after an EF-1 tornado hit many areas of the campus.

The district's superintendent, Melissa Spears told KATV they are almost back to normal, but still have several roofs to repair.

“We are on target for everything to be ready by August 1, so barring any unforeseen circumstances," she said.

Six months ago, the storm destroyed part of the Jessieville Elementary School, Jessieville High School football and track field, and the district band building. The tornado also caused multiple injuries to school employees.

According to Spears, damages to get the district fully repaired were estimated at two million dollars, but that number has since grown to more than three million dollars.

“We were able to get our band and our elementary music back in their building well before the end of the school year," she said. "We have a few little things to finish and there but nothing that prevents them from having class."

T.J. Burk is the Jessieville Head Football and Track coach. He said throughout the track season, their student-athletes had to practice in the parking lot and at other area facilities. Burk said they turned all of those obstacles into a state championship.

“Our 4 x 800 won the state track meet and all of them underclassmen, so just their perseverance really kinda exceeded expectations I think of what a lot of people thought it was going to happen," Burk said.

Burk told KATV he was very impressed with how their team showed determination and maturity in a situation they couldn't control.

“Our kids and their resiliency has been something that was awesome to see," he said. "The fact that we didn’t really have we really didn’t have a facility here to practice but they were able to persevere and really good things happened. We had some really good things happen during track season."

Burk said their track team also finished 3rd overall in their 3A division at the state meet.

According to Burk, they expect to have turf on their new football field next month to get ready for the upcoming season.

Spears told KATV the community's support and faith got them through to the point they're at today. The state allocated funds in January for areas hit by that tornado. Spears said they are waiting for final estimates before applying for that money.