40 earthquake-prone school buildings are in a similar dilemma to Burnside High School

Burnside High School Image: RNZ/Anna Sargent

About 40 school buildings across the country have been revealed to be officially 'earthquake vulnerable'.

It comes after Burnside High School in Christchurch announced on Wednesday that it would close its doors to students for the rest of the week after two classrooms were found to not meet seismic standards.

School Superintendent Scott Haynes said the buildings hold about a quarter of their classrooms and that the closure is intended to allow time to reconfigure new schedules and teaching locations before reopening Monday.

About 40 school buildings across the country received a rating of less than 34 percent of the New Building Standards (NBS), said Sam Fowler, head of the Department of Education's property division.

Earthquake-prone is an official classification for buildings with a NBS rating of less than 34 percent.

Fowler told the Morning Report that the problem was not limited to schools, but that they were working with affected schools to “determine the right response.”

He added that each school has its own circumstances and must make its own decisions.

“There will be other classrooms around the country with lower ratings in use.

“In general, I would expect boards and communities to be aware, as there may be some circumstances that we are still working through.”

Fowler said the Burnside buildings accounted for 15 per cent of the ONS but the risks were low and they could have remained in use.

“Ultimately, that is the board's decision, and they are the ones who have to weigh those risks.

“We will support them in what will be difficult conditions over the coming weeks.”

'Powerful' talks in Burnside buildings

Burnside High School Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Chris Wallace told the Morning Report they considered all options, including having students stay in low-rated districts.

“It was a very complex situation and we had some robust discussions around the board table to reach the decision we have.”

Wallace, who was also chairman of Burnside's property committee, said the board understood the disruption to staff and students, but it was temporary.

During the last three weeks of the first term, Year 1 levels alternated studying on home days.

In the second semester, the revised timetable will confuse both junior and senior students. By the third semester, the new classroom building currently under construction will be completed.

“We'll be back to business as usual,” Wallace said.

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