Burst water line closes Edgerton Elementary School in Kalispell

Edgerton Elementary was closed Monday due to a burst main water line connected to the Kalispell school’s boiler heating system. 

The burst follows mornings where temperatures have started in the single digits. Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Matt Jensen said it appears the pipe froze and then thawed, which led to the damage.

“It looks like it ruptured last night or early this morning,” Jensen said. 

The rupture caused water to leak from the ceiling, he said. 

“Right now, we have water damage in two [first-floor] classrooms in the primary wing, in some hallway space and in front of the library,” Jensen said.  

Crews are working on a fix, and school is expected to resume Tuesday. Jensen said maintenance department workers, restoration company employees and people who designed the boiler system were on-site at the school, which was built in 1987. 

“We’re still assessing the scope of the problem, but our intent is that we reopen by [Tuesday],” he said. 

Jensen said he will provide updates as they become available. For more information, visit sd5.k12.mt.us. 

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.