High winds expose masonry and aging systems; facilities staff say some repairs await referendum funding

Mike, staff member (facilities), updated the Finance and Facilities Committee on storm-related and age-related building maintenance needs across the district, reporting loose chimney bricks at Wilson and roof lifting and cornice problems at several older buildings after high winds in late January.

Mike said maintenance crews removed loose bricks and unsecured ornamentation for safety and that some tuckpointing and more extensive repairs will await further planning. He also reported a frozen unit vent at Lincoln that caused a loss of heat after water from condensate froze and drained across the system; the district temporarily bypassed the affected unit to restore heat.

Why it matters: multiple older buildings show deferred-maintenance problems that can present safety risks and disrupt school operations; district staff said ongoing failures in heating plants and electrical systems are part of a larger capital plan.

Key points from the update and committee discussion: - Immediate safety work: crews removed easily detachable masonry and secured loose roofing sections; Mike asked crews to remove any pieces that could be pulled off by hand. - Heating systems: staff noted aging boilers and univent heaters; replacement parts and new units (Trane Corporation univent heaters were cited) are subject to long lead times; Mike said Trane has the district on a three-year waiting list for replacement univents. - Capital plan and costs: Mike referenced a broader capital estimate (discussed in district planning) in the order of $160 million for replacing heating plants and major electrical work across the district footprint; for specific emergency rectifications, he estimated roughly $150,000 would be needed to "get it really back in and stuck together." (estimate provided in meeting discussion.) - Referendum timing: some repairs will proceed this spring or sooner if budgeted, but colder-weather repairs must wait until spring; several committee members and staff acknowledged that larger projects will depend on the outcome of the upcoming referendum and broader funding choices. - Political and strategic context: a committee member urged ongoing emphasis on creating a sustainable maintenance budget and told the group that a lack of political will and shallow state funding had contributed to deferred maintenance; another member suggested consolidation and operating-efficiency measures as part of the long-term solution.

Next steps: facilities staff will prioritize emergency and safety repairs, identify projects that can proceed without referendum funds, and present cost estimates and timelines for referendum-funded capital projects if the referendum passes.