Janesville Elementary School Closed Due to Flood Damage

Washington Elementary School will remain closed as officials assess repairs needed after severe storms.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:49am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a flooded schoolyard in the foreground, dwarfed by an ominous, stormy sky, conveying the overwhelming power of nature and the vulnerability of human structures.A flooded schoolyard serves as a somber reminder of the disruptive impact severe weather can have on local education systems.Madison Today

The School District of Janesville announced that Washington Elementary School will be closed until further notice after severe storms and flooding caused significant damage to the building last week. Franklin Middle School's gym was also impacted, but the rest of the school remains open. Officials are working to find an alternate instructional location for Washington Elementary students while repairs are underway.

Why it matters

Severe weather events like the recent flooding in Janesville can have major impacts on local schools and disrupt student learning. Ensuring the safety of students and staff is the top priority as the district works to restore operations at the affected schools.

The details

Washington Elementary School sustained heavy flood damage that will prevent classes from being held there for the foreseeable future. The School District of Janesville is evaluating all of its schools and has determined that Franklin Middle School's gym was also damaged, though the rest of that facility remains open. District officials are now working to find a temporary alternative location to continue instruction for Washington Elementary students while repairs are made.

  • The school district announced the closures on Sunday, April 20, 2026.
  • Washington Elementary School was originally set to be closed on Monday, April 21, 2026 due to the flood damage.

The players

School District of Janesville

The public school district serving the city of Janesville, Wisconsin.

Washington Elementary School

An elementary school in Janesville that sustained significant flood damage, requiring it to be closed indefinitely.

Franklin Middle School

A middle school in Janesville where the gymnasium was damaged by the recent flooding, though the rest of the school remains open.

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What’s next

The school district is working to find an alternate instructional location for Washington Elementary students while repairs are made to their school building.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the disruptive impact that severe weather events can have on local school systems and the importance of disaster preparedness to ensure continuity of education for students.