The new school year got off to an electrifying start at Mt. Carmel High School after the building sustained a lightning strike last Wednesday afternoon.
Principal Amy Duckworth provided an update on the damage during Monday night's District 348 School Board meeting.
Duckworth said the lightning struck near the front of the school, hitting the flagpole with enough force to send the flag flying into the recessed pavilion area near the junior high. The mechanism used to raise and lower the flag was also blown into several pieces.
The strike caused problems with the school's security system, resulting in false alarms. Duckworth said technicians spent much of the day tracking down the issues, and the security alarm system has since been restored to full operation. The school's key-fob access system was not affected.
Scoreboards in both the high school and junior high gyms are also functioning normally.
The remaining issue involves internet service for a couple of teachers. Duckworth said the district is still working to restore those connections, but teachers have backup plans in place while repairs continue.
As for the American flag that went flying during the strike, Duckworth said it was recovered, although she was unsure whether it could be saved or had to be properly retired.