Lodi School District board reviews emergency repairs after Sept. 7 pipe break at Thomas Jefferson Middle School

Lodi Board of Education members on Sept. 24 heard details about an emergency pipe failure at Thomas Jefferson Middle School that forced the building to close for two weeks and prompted the district to authorize emergency restoration work.

Superintendent Michael D'Amico reported that "on Sunday, September 7, we had a pipe break here," and that maintenance, custodial staff and administrators moved quickly to shut off water, dry the building and set up remote instruction. "They didn't miss a beat, and the students were able to have remote instruction for 2 weeks," D'Amico said. He added, "we were able to return this Monday, the middle school." The district used remote lessons while cleanup and repairs proceeded.

Why it matters: The break disrupted instruction, required emergency vendor engagement and prompted board questions about construction oversight, change orders and potential financial liability. The district's insurance group has paid initial costs and — according to D'Amico — will likely seek restitution from the contractor or subcontractor responsible for the plumbing work.

Board members and staff described the cause as a compression fitting that failed in a girls' bathroom renovation area, where new copper piping was tied into existing plumbing. D'Amico said the district and contractors are "surmising" that a compression fitting let go at about 3:05 a.m. on Sept. 7 and caused "a fairly significant flood" at the school. He told the board the district's insurer, New Jersey School Boards Insurance Group, has been "the utmost cooperative" and that he has been authorized to make purchases to restore the building.

Board members asked whether the damage would be covered by insurance and whether the contractor would be financially responsible. D'Amico said insurance covered the immediate costs and that the insurer would "subrogate and go after the contractor's subcontractor who was the plumber" to seek restitution. The board also heard that the restoration vendor engaged on the insurer's recommendation was First On-Site.

Members questioned the plumbing work and related change orders. Board member Michael Bautista asked whether the compression fitting was new and whether the repair should have been caught earlier; another member raised concerns about the practice of connecting cast-iron fittings to copper. District staff said the renovation and the repair work had been inspected by local officials and overseen by the district's architect.

The superintendent and the board discussed costs but did not provide a final figure. D'Amico said he would not yet "sign a number to it" but estimated the damage to be "well, well in excess of $100,000," describing that figure as an estimate. The board passed an emergency resolution to engage restoration services and authorized cleanup work so the school could reopen; district insurance paid initial costs while an investigation and claims process continue.

The flooding also generated construction-adjacent questions included in the board's finance packet: a plumbing-related change order identified as "change order No. 3" that the board discussed in relation to the renovation and subsequent damage. Board members asked why prior change orders had not been flagged earlier and whether some work should have been identified during the renovation.

The superintendent said the restoration vendor was selected on the recommendation of the insurer because of the need for immediate action, and the district moved quickly to secure the building and restore operations. D'Amico thanked maintenance and custodial staff, school administrators and teachers for their work getting students back to in-person learning.

Looking ahead: The district will continue repair and restoration work, the insurer will complete its investigation and pursue possible reimbursement from contractors if appropriate, and the board said it will monitor final repair costs and contract outcomes.