Board authorizes design work for Hagan roof replacement after district staff report critical leaks

District facilities staff and architects told the Williston Basin School District 7 board that Hagan Elementary’s roof is in critical condition and recommended moving quickly toward design and competitive bidding for replacement.

District and consultant representatives said a walk of roofs at several schools found Hagan’s roof—the district believes to be the original ballasted membrane—showed signs of shrinking at the edges, spongy walking spaces (indicating wet insulation) and multiple leaks. The project team recommended a conservative approach to remove ballast and the roof assembly down to the metal deck and replace the system.

Consultants put a preliminary worst‑case budget at about $1,400,000 for a 40,000 square foot roof, to remove ballast, replace membrane and install new roof assembly. The board was told that final design documents and competitive bidding are needed to refine the scope and cost.

Nick Lippert (JLG Architects) and Ryan Anderson (JE Dunn) participated in the discussion. Superintendent/operations staff said the district is exploring how the roof replacement timing and budget would interact with other high‑priority capital needs such as Lewis and Clark HVAC work and the removal of an old boiler.

Board members voted to authorize JLG to proceed with design documents for the Hagan roof replacement so the district can move to bidding as soon as possible. The board discussed holding a special meeting to address the bidding phase and contingency allocations to permit a quick turnaround.

Board member Mr. Leppard moved to authorize JLG; a second was recorded. Roll call then recorded members voting in favor; the motion carried.