A brand new elementary school shuttered by flooding in a troubled indigenous community in Ontario will be reopening for business next week.

The $30 million school on the Attawapiskat First Nation flooded in early January due to what band council members described as a malfunctioning sprinkler system.

The school was opened with much fanfare in 2014, putting an end to a 14-year period in which the community’s roughly 400 elementary-age students were being taught in portable classrooms.

January’s flood caused considerable damage to the first floor of the school and cancelled classes for about six weeks.

But James Wesley of the Attawapiskat First Nation Education Authority says repairs are complete and class will be back in session as of Feb. 28.

He declined to offer any additional comments on the situation.

(The Canadian Press)

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