Missing Bricks Led to Discovery of Structural Concerns at E. Wilson Morrison

What began as a request to replace a few missing bricks at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School led to the discovery of more serious structural concerns, forcing the 91-year-old school to close and sending students and staff to temporary classrooms across Warren County.

A fence blocks access to the front of E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School following its emergency closure over structural concerns. Below, a closer view shows the area where missing bricks prompted a request for repairs, leading to further examination of the building and discovery of the structural concerns.

The Warren County School Board is now thanking administrators, teachers, staff and the community for the rapid response to the unexpected closure while engineers complete a full assessment of the building.

The school was examined Monday, Aug. 24, after the initial brick repair concern revealed a broader problem near the building’s main entrance. A full engineering report is expected to be presented to the School Board at its Sept. 2 meeting. That engineering report is expected to provide a clearer picture of the structural problem, the extent of any needed repairs, and the options available to the division moving forward.

“The Warren County School Board would like to express our gratitude to our superintendent Dr. Wright, and all of the Warren County Public Schools administrators, teachers, and staff for the immense amount of time and energy they have spent over the past several days in planning and preparing to see our E. Wilson Morrison teachers, students, and families through this unexpected closure of the school,” the board said in a statement.

The board acknowledged that the sudden closure has created uncertainty for families and employees.

“We understand this is a disruption no one was prepared for and all of the concerns it is causing for families and teachers,” the statement continued. “Please know a significant amount of time and discussion have gone into the plan moving forward, and this is our best option at this time.”

Under the temporary plan, E. Wilson Morrison students will be divided by grade level among several schools.

The arrangement is intended to keep students together by grade level while allowing the school division to get children back into classrooms as quickly as possible.

Open houses for E. Wilson Morrison students and their families will be held Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Skyline High School, Skyline Middle School, Warren County High School, Leslie Fox Keyser Elementary School and Hilda J. Barbour Elementary School.

“We encourage EWM families to attend so they can meet with administrators, teachers, and staff and tour the space their child(ren) will be attending for the foreseeable future,” the School Board said.

The open houses are intended to give families a chance to see the new spaces, meet staff, and become more comfortable with the temporary arrangements before classes resume.

The closure has required a significant logistical effort throughout the school division. Teachers and administrators have had to prepare new classrooms and gather supplies on short notice while access to the E. Wilson Morrison building remains restricted.

Secondary schools receiving elementary students are also adjusting schedules and spaces so younger children can operate separately from middle and high school students as much as possible.

Transportation will continue using students’ existing bus stops, with children taken to their assigned temporary locations.

The School Board stressed that no decision has been made about the long-term future of E. Wilson Morrison.

The Sept. 2 School Board meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Warren County Government Center. The meeting will be livestreamed and recorded for residents who cannot attend in person.

The School Board said it recognizes there will be challenges as students and staff adjust to unfamiliar buildings and routines, but expressed confidence that the community will work through them together.

Board members also thanked Warren County residents for the response since the closure was announced.

“We would like to thank our entire Warren County community for the outpouring of support for the entire E. Wilson Morrison family,” the statement said. “We appreciate your patience as we all navigate this together.”

For now, the focus remains on giving students as much stability as possible while engineers complete their review and the School Board waits for the information it will need to determine the next steps for E. Wilson Morrison.