High school damaged by lightning

A lightning storm on Friday, August 13, was probably the cause of some trouble for Sisters High School's electrical system, according to Jim Golden, assistant principal.

Engineers checking the school's system last week speculate that a lightning strike on or near the school's athletic field entered the field's watering system, moved into the pumps and then followed the conduit back to the main school building.

"At least two of our micro zones were toasted," Golden explained, "and that shut down our main computer that runs the school's integrated heating and cooling system, plus damaged the field watering system."

Engineers began checking the damage last Friday and will continue their work this week. They will either locate parts or manufacture them to repair the main computer. Once that work is done, they may locate damage to other zones of the school's electrical system.

"Their estimate on cost of the damage ranges from $2,000 as the best case scenario to as high as $40,000," Golden said.

Those attending Rep. Greg Walden's fire recovery salvage subcommittee hearing at the high school on Wednesday, August 18, were forced to endure a closed room without air conditioning.

Walden informed attendees of the problem at the start of the hearing and said that it was not a planned event to keep people away.

A square dance group gathering at the school over the weekend faced the same problem. However, school maintenance staff was able to provide some temporary relief by overriding the main computer. That provided air conditioning for short periods of time in the Commons where most dancing activity was taking place.