HELENA — Helena’s Kessler Elementary School was closed to students Friday, after a broken water line left the school with no running water.
City Engineer Ryan Leland told MTN crews had been working on a water main on Cannon Street when the aging main and a valve failed. That interrupted water service to about a five-block area – affecting about 30 residents, as well as Kessler.
Helena Public Schools Superintendent Tyler Ream said they learned the school had no water around 7:45 a.m. – by which time the buses had already started running. He said they picked up any unaccompanied students on the route and took them to Broadwater Elementary, where their families were able to pick them up.
“We wanted to make sure no one was alone,” he said.
Students who were set to be in school can switch to remote learning Friday, but Ream said they understand some may not be able to because of the short notice.
Leland apologized for the inconvenience, and said they expect to have the issue resolved by the end of the day Friday.
