T-R photo by Allison Graham The South Tama Middle School sustained significant damage from Monday’s derecho.

Significant damage was sustained to the South Tama County Middle School due to Monday’s derecho storm.

As a result, South Tama officials will begin to explore options for pushing back the start of school. South Tama is considering moving the start date back to Sept. 8.

A formal decision will be made in the near future.

“We are hopeful that STC students, staff and family keep their spirits up during these difficult times,” STC Superintendent Jared Smith said.

The 105-year-old South Tama County Middle School sustained serious damage to its roof as well as the northeast corner of its outer wall in Monday’s storm. Assessments were still underway as of Wednesday afternoon and the full extent of the damage at the middle school has yet to be determined.

This marks the second year a natural disaster has impacted the middle school building in Toledo as a boiler room fire on Aug. 5, 2019 required significant repair work in two classrooms ahead of the start of the 2019-20 school year.