Gilbert area students are being welcomed back by school staff and teachers as the 2010-11 school year begins this week. Much like last year, the students are coming back to find their school still feeling the effects of summer flooding.

The June floods that took its toll on the Gilbert community damaged Gilbert Middle and High Schools once again, but luckily, this year’s flooding caused minimal damage.

“The June flood did not come close to the amount of damage as the 2009 flood,” said Gilbert High School Assistant Prinicipal Daniel Dean. “I would say the damage is only 20 percent of last year’s.”

According Dean, the tile on the middle school side had to be replaced and the high school’s gym floor is still under repair and should be completed by the beginning of October. In addition, the library’s carpet and tables also needed replaced, however, the building itself was not damaged.