Clarksville schools roofing repairs needed

Clark County

WHAT ROOFING REPAIRS WILL COST

• Clarksville Elementary — $495,762
• Clarksville Middle — $337,716
• Total — $833,478

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January 21, 2012

Leaking roofs could be costly for school district

By LINDON DODD Jerod.Clapp@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Sat Jan 21, 2012, 05:33 PM EST

CLARKSVILLE — Roof replacement and repair estimates for two schools in the Clarksville Community School Corp. totaled more than $833,000, according to a presentation at a recent meeting of the district’s board of trustees.

A representative from the construction company providing the estimates, Tremco, showed several sections of roofing on Clarksville Elementary and Middle schools in various states of disrepair. Joe Colvin, director of facilities for Clarksville schools, said have been about 12 repairs to the elementary school’s roof in three months, not including any repairs made under the materials warranty.

Donald Murray, senior technical adviser for Tremco, said the estimates were conservative. He said the price could change depending on results of further diagnostics, but expected the numbers to be pretty close. Murray said some sections of roofing were at least 20 years old and showed signs of water penetrating the rubber seal on top.

But Kim Knott, superintendent, said a lot of the problems on the roof stem from the lack of preventative maintenance before Colvin started with the district three months ago. She said that was a waste of taxpayer money.

Bill Wilson, board president, said he wants to see that change.

“I think we’re all well aware that we have not had preventative maintenance on just about every area we have,” Wilson said. “I know it can be overwhelming. The point is, I just want to make sure we are moving in that direction as quickly and efficiently as we can.”

Murray said Colvin would receive a checklist of maintenance to keep up with that could be entered into a database, which could help keep track of the work. If an architect is hired soon, the work could be finished before the start of the next school year.

In an email after the meeting, Knott said she thought the cost was manageable under the district’s budget.

“[The district] refinanced the elementary building project bonds in November of 2011,” Knott said. “The savings recouped due to a better interest rate will be the primary revenue source, assuming that the holding corporation gives us permission, for the roofing projects discussed at our last school board meeting.”

Also discussed at the meeting

• The board declined to take action on hiring a new teacher for Clarksville High School until a final criminal background check arrives. Knott said in the meantime, a Kelly Services substitute would remain in that position until the background check comes in and the board has an opportunity to vote on the matter.