PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — As Pinellas County begins to recover after Hurricane Helene, school district leaders say they are mourning the loss of one of their employees in the storm.
Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick broke the news during an update Sunday morning.
"Our Pinellas County community has experienced tremendous loss in the impact of Hurricane Helene," Hendrick said. "First, our thoughts go out to the loved ones of those who lost their lives, those who lost their homes and their livelihoods and all citizens who have been impacted."
"Unfortunately, in this loss was a Pinellas County Schools employee who passed away due to the impacts of the storm," he continued. "And we know hundreds and hundreds of our employees have lost their homes or had them severely damaged."
The school district did not release the employee's name or say which school they worked for.
Starting Monday, Sept. 30, most Pinellas County schools will reopen for classes. However, three schools will remain closed for the time being.
"Gulf Beaches Elementary and Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 have been severely impacted by storm surge from Hurricane Helene and will remain closed to students," the district said Saturday. The third school, Disston Academy, will also be closed for several days.
However, the district says it has a plan for students at all three schools. Gulf Beaches Elementary students will relocate to Disston Academy's campus for the foreseeable future. The academy's approximate 70 students will go to a facility in Lealman. Madeira Beach K-8's approximate 1,400 students will be split between two campuses.