Board approves roof replacement costs
By Rob Treynor
Staff Writer
From the ground, the roof to Monroe Elementary looks just fine.
However, after closer inspection, the Jonathan Alder Board of Education voted unanimously Monday evening to replace it.
Superintendent Gary Chapman showed the board a slide show, in which all of the roof’s flaws were displayed.
The 8-year-old roof showed many signs of shoddy construction: in some classrooms, daylight could be seen in the space between the deck and the drop ceiling, water leaked into the school’s utility room, gaps the size of soda cans could be seen between support beams, and multiple nail pops and unsealed shingles were evident across the entirety of the roof. “It looks nice, but when you dig into it, we have some serious issues,” Chapman said. “Over time, the damage those flaws can create could be immense.”
Chapman told the board, “We have an opportunity with the OSFC (Ohio School Facilities Commission) behind us on this.” The school will pay for 46 percent of the roof’s cost.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $912,000. Jonathan Alder’s share of the bill will be $400,000 (not to exceed $440,000). The remaining $512,000 will be paid for by the Ohio School Facilities Commission.
Since the OSFC declared the roof defective, Jonathan Alder has the power of the state attorney general on their side. “The potential is there that we could recover some or maybe all of our replacement costs.”
Chapman is to meet with Meade Construction this week to determine a start date on the project.
In other business, junior high principal Jud D. Ross presented a slide show of the renovations taking place at the junior high building. New lighting, new ceilings, and new HVAC units were evident.
Most of the work is complete, however work continues in the auditorium. Ross explained that due to this work, he has postponed open house until late September. “We really need the phones and computers to be working, too,” Ross said. “We’re working on that.”
School begins for most Jonathan Alder students on Aug. 22. “We’re excited to kick off another year,” Chapman said. “You can see things are happening already. School is near.”
The next board of education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10.
