SAN DIEGO — The California State Superintendent paid a visit to San Diego Friday, touring flood damaged schools in Spring Valley.
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond's first stop was Bancroft Elementary, a school that was so badly damaged by the January 22nd storm, that the entire student body, roughly 450 students, were temporarily moved to a different school.
According to Thurmond, 42 students were also displaced from their homes due to flooding, and 150 students were already experiencing homelessness before the storm hit.
"We have to address the trauma students and staff have experienced here," said Thurmond.
"I know many of the students witnessed seeing the water rush in and around their classrooms," he added.
According to Thurmond, the state is offering financial help, including gift cards that can be used for food, water, books, and materials.
"Schools are not set up to handle these situations. What we've begun doing is raising money through private sources to help meet basic needs," said Thurmond.
La Mesa-Spring Valley Superintendent David Feliciano was also there for Friday's tour. He said an insurance adjustor was on site to give them an estimate on the damage. Thurmond said the state will try and help expedite the process so that the school can get reimbursed faster.
Feliciano said the damage is likely multi-millions of dollars. He speculated anywhere from $10-$15 million.
"That's just going to be in order to get classrooms re-opened," he said. "That is by no way going to address all of the damage that's been done here. That's going to put dry floors into the classrooms and create safe spaces, but there's still so much more that's going to be needed here."
The district anticipates students will be able to return to class before the end of February.
Last fall, Thurmond announced that he is running for governor in 2026.