Board hears concerns about aging mobile classrooms; architect review and long‑term removal plan flagged

Trustees on the operational services committee raised safety and condition concerns Sept. 9 about portable classrooms used at several elementary sites, noting some units date to the mid‑1990s and have deteriorated roofs, flashing and restroom ventilation.
Trustee Hannah described specific observations from the facility survey and called some mobile units’ conditions “downright dangerous.” Facilities staff confirmed the annual architect‑certified occupancy reports show many units have exceeded their projected lives and said the district performs minor repairs each year while discussing long‑term elimination or consolidation as part of capital planning.
Director of facilities staff and the district’s architect of record told the committee that six of the portable units date to about 1996 (with Clark Elementary newer) and that annual life‑safety certification is part of the continuing review. The staff said the capital improvement committee will continue to evaluate options — removal, replacement, consolidation — and that any plan must be balanced against other district priorities and capital costs.
Trustees asked that the capital improvement committee make the mobile classroom issue a priority in upcoming discussions and consider enrollment patterns in any replacement/ consolidation decision. Trustee Lindsey and other members noted the number of students currently in those units and urged moving toward safer permanent space when feasible.
Why it matters: Portable classrooms can pose long‑term maintenance and life‑safety costs. Trustees said the age and condition require near‑term deliberation so the district can budget for either replacement or safe remediation without disrupting instruction.
Provenance: Discussion occurred in the Operational Services Committee during the facilities/architect items and facility report review.