High winds and rain Aug. 9 were not kind to Malcolm Public Schools, but the Clippers rode out the storm and still started school on time.
Ryan Terwilliger, district superintendent, said school staff discovered the damage the morning of Aug. 9. The most damage was in the competition gym, where wind lifted the southwest corner allowing rain inside. The southeast corner of the building’s roof was also damaged, allowing water into the high school wing.
“Other points were harpooned by planks,” Terwilliger said.
He expects the district will need to replace the roof on the entire building. The insurance provider, Alicap, already sent an adjuster who walked the campus, Terwilliger said. The roof has a temporary patch on it currently, he said.
The gym roof will be the first replaced, he said. Staff also patched what they could find.
Terwilliger said Paul Davis Restoration came out Aug. 9 to help with clean-up and installing dehumidifiers in the gym. More storms Aug. 9-10 added to the damage at MPS.
“They have been a good partner in this,” he said.
It will take 11-14 days before the extent of damage to the wooden floor in the competition gym is known, Terwilliger said.
“So far it looks pretty good,” he said. “The worst case is a new floor, but I think we’re out of the woods on that.”
He expects some repairs to be needed but hoped they could be done after the volleyball season.
The floor was last replaced in 2011 and at that time it was raised off the cement with rubber bumpers.
“I think that helped. It’s not sitting in water,” he said.
Because the gym was unavailable, the Malcolm volleyball team had to find another place to practice. Lincoln Northwest opened its doors for the Clippers.
“We really appreciate them coming to our aid,” Terwilliger said.
Kinetic in Lincoln also offered a facility, and the Seward Wellness Center said MHS could use its space.
Not only did the building see damage, outdoor areas also suffered from the wrath of the wind. Two light poles on the football field were sheared off, and a third is compromised, Terwilliger said.
“We will have to replace them,” he said. “We would have kept them as long as we could get lights.”
The Clippers were slated to play their first home football game Friday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. Terwilliger said the kickoff has moved up to 5 p.m.
The next home game is Friday, Sept. 26. Terwilliger said they are “cautiously optimistic” that new poles and lights will be installed by then.
“We hope we get lucky,” he said.
In addition, two of the three flag poles on the north side of the football field were snapped off and will need to be replaced. The press box face was also damaged slightly, and water got into the press box electronics, Terwilliger said.
A few of the light poles in the parking lot were twisted about 30 degrees, and the campus lost a lot of trees, he said.
He said students, staff and community members came Aug. 9 to help pick up debris around the school. Teachers were able to get into their rooms before school started.
The hardest part is waiting for the building to dry out.
“You feel so helpless,” Terwilliger said. “A lot is wait and see.”
Even despite the damage, Malcolm Public Schools opened the 2025-26 school year right on time – Aug. 14.
Terwilliger said the district was thankful for everyone who helped with clean-up and assessments and offered places to practice.
“They’ve all come together to make this a less painful process,” he said.
