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DC Everest junior high storm pipe collapse prompts emergency repairs and plan to inspect aging clay lines
Summary
District staff discovered collapsed clay storm piping under DC Everest Junior High requiring emergency excavation and temporary repairs. Administrators said they will camera other pipes in October and likely propose a relining or realignment plan; they flagged use of capital fund balance as the probable near-term funding source.
District facilities staff told the board that an old clay storm drain collapsed beneath DC Everest Junior High, prompting emergency excavation and temporary repairs that averted disruption to classes.
Superintendent Dr. Nye introduced the item as a developing infrastructure problem and asked facilities staff to describe the scope. Jason McFarland, who identified himself as a facilities representative, said crews found clay pipes dating from the 1950s and discovered a main storm pipe that had collapsed. "We had to dig out in the little theater at the junior high about 14 feet down to try to repair it," McFarland said. "But the pipe is actually broken as 22 feet down."
McFarland said crews relocated some lines and installed pumps and temporary bypasses to control stormwater while contractors worked into the night to stabilize the situation. "We were able to relocate some of the pipes. So we've got the stormwater all under control for now," he told the board.
Board members asked about costs and long-term fixes. McFarland said immediate emergency work was time-and-material; invoicing was not complete and the district did not yet have final costs. Kelly (staff), who addressed budgeting, said the district had put over $2,000,000 into fund 46 last year for capital projects and that the fund balance would likely be used to cover emergency expenditures if needed. "We still don't think we can absorb it in the existing budget, so likely will be a fund-balance expenditure," Kelly said.
Staff described next steps as cameraing other lines to assess condition and then recommending either relining (by inserting a fiberglass sleeve) or larger realignment work. McFarland said a company will begin cameraing in October, and staff will return to the board with a plan that lays out short-, medium- and long-term options.
At several points board members asked whether the emergency repairs would postpone previously approved capital projects. Financial staff said they did not expect the emergency work to defer planned projects but cautioned the total cost was not finalized.
District staff credited contractors and facilities personnel for quickly containing the problem and minimizing disruption; teachers reported no class disruption. The board asked staff to return with cameraing results, cost estimates and a recommended capital plan once the inspections are complete.
