The Spearfish School Board has declared an emergency following a major water main break that caused extensive damage at Spearfish Middle School and High School earlier this summer.
District officials say a six-inch water main ruptured beneath the school’s mechanical room just before midnight on June 30, sending muddy water through hallways, locker rooms, coaches’ offices, and other areas of the campus.
Superintendent Nick Gottlob says crews worked for weeks to dry the building and limit the damage, but recently discovered water had spread beneath the middle school gym floor beyond what could be repaired. The district’s insurance company has now declared the floor a total loss.
A large underground cavern formed beneath the mechanical room as a result of the break, and officials say recovery costs are expected to range between $250,000 and $350,000.
With school set to begin August 27th, a new gym floor will not be installed before students return. The emergency declaration allows the district to move forward with expedited bids for cleanup, removal of damaged materials, and floor replacement once insurance approval is finalized.
The flooding did not reach the high school gymnasium, which had been renovated in 2024, but several athletic facilities and support areas remain affected. Activities Director Dalton Wademan says most fall sports practices and activities will continue as scheduled, although some flexibility will be required while repairs are completed.
District leaders say all restoration work will focus on ensuring a safe and sanitary environment for students and staff when classes begin later this month.
