HENRYVILLE, In. (WDRB) -- A new chapter began Wednesday in Henryville, Indiana as the town recovers from a devastating tornado. Teachers returned to work at the community school for the first time since it was nearly destroyed.
The building may be open, but there is a lot of work to do before the students return next week.
When art teacher Amy Fischmer returned to her classroom, rows of boxes were there to greet her -- boxes filled with supplies salvaged from the storm, including a few hidden gems: "The kids will be happy because that was their big concern, their artwork. So they'll be happy that it survived."
Fischmer never thought she would return so soon after the tornado leveled her classroom. "To have seen it then and to be with it now, it's just amazing to see how far we've come."
Chemistry teacher Judy Johnson is about to begin her first year at the school, though she's lived in Henryville all her life. "I am happy to be part of the new beginning, the new start. Happy to have the new facility to work in."
It took 400,000 man-hours to get the building finished on time. And even as teachers began to unpack, the hallways were still full of construction workers. "Moving some contents around. Helping teachers get unpacked. There's always touch up painting. Just the finishing touches. Putting a bow on it," said Kevin Barnes of Befor Property Restoration.
The biggest job for the staff -- getting everything organized. "We have all the supplies, textbooks that we need. The struggle is we're not exactly sure where everything is," said West Clark Assistant Superintendent John Reed.
Meanwhile, Amy Fischmer found her old desk. "It was either thrown or something was thrown into it. It survived though, so I'm keeping it. It's my trophy desk."
The price tag for this restoration is $54 million and counting, but for students, faculty, and staff, chances are it will have been worth every penny.
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