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District says Boerne building piping replaced and sewer lines capped after odor concerns; HVAC parts still delayed
Summary
Facilities staff told the Tacoma School Board March 27 that interior piping at the Boerne Round Building was replaced in May 2024 at an estimated $90,000 and that the district completed city-recommended sewer capping this week to address reported odors.
Facilities staff gave the board an update on March 27 about water-quality and odor concerns at the district's Boerne buildings.
The speaker identified as Williams (referred to in the meeting as Chris Williams and as "Mr. Williams") said crews repiped the Boerne Round Building between May 13 and about May 30, 2024. "We repiped the Boerne Round Building ... It was a $90,000 that were allocated to complete that," Williams said. He added the district installed a water bottle filling station in September 2024 and that staff routinely filled bottles with no sign of discoloration.
Williams described work this week to address a reported strong odor: the city recommended the district "cap the sewer lines." He said the district completed an additional cap (a double cap) on the lines on the city's advice; the vendor named was Drain Pro. Williams characterized the Round Building as an older structure with heating units and mechanicals that are 40 to 50 years old. He said the newer building on the campus, not the Round Building, is where the odor has been detected.
Board members asked clarifying questions about whether it was standard to leave sewer lines uncapped; Williams explained the district and city had added the extra cap as a precaution. Principal Ronnie Fullerton was cited as having sent notices to families and the district said it has been coordinating with Pierce County Health Department. Williams said the HVAC system in the affected building was not fully functional because replacement parts are difficult to source; the district has mounted heaters and is awaiting parts.
The board did not take a formal vote on the Boerne work; the item was an informational update and staff said they will continue coordination with the health department and share follow-up information with families.
