Dakota Valley students returning to school on schedule despite recent flooding

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU) — Despite the damage that is still being cleaned up from the Big Sioux River flooding, in less than a week, Dakota Valley students will be making their way back into the classroom to start the new year.

“I’m so happy that we can provide that normalcy for our families,” district superintendent Dr. Tonia Warzecha said. “We’re very excited to bring all of our students back.”

Although the McCook Lake area was hit hard by the cresting of the Big Sioux River, the Dakota Valley School District saw very little damage to their buildings.

“Our buildings themselves are standing very strong,” Dr. Warzecha said. “We had a little bit of water in the Nylen center in the commons area, but I squeegeed that down the drains very quickly. We had cornstalks, just like many of our families in the area, and we were very blessed to have the campus taken care of, and so we’re looking pretty good.”

While the insides of the schools remain the same, the outside will look a little different with the closing of Northshore Drive. As of now, the only way in and out of the Dakota Valley campuses is by taking 484th Avenue.

“This is going to be a new route for everybody, I just want everybody to be safe,” North Sioux City Police Chief Richard Headid said. “Make sure you do not pass in these zones. The traffic is going to be heavy, don’t be in too big of a hurry. Make sure you allow yourself at least a half an hour longer to get through this construction area.”

While parents should expect heavy traffic during drop-off and pick-up, there are some ways to help reduce the morning jam.

“I know it’s hard on parents to let them ride the bus, but I’m asking due to the tragedy we had here at McCook Lake, just use some precaution, and if you can ride the bus it’s less traffic that way,” Chief Headid said.

Meanwhile, the district will be doing what they can to keep cars and buses moving.

“We’re going to release high school students at least seven minutes early to stagger those cars and help with the traffic pattern a little bit,” Dr. Warzecha said. “But the start times and the end times of the buildings will remain the same.”

The 2024-25 school year will start on time on Monday, Aug. 19 for all grade levels in Dakota Valley.

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