Springdale School District staff report construction progress and storm damage, set timelines for repairs

An unidentified Springdale School District staff member told the school board that several construction projects have finished and that ongoing work and storm-related repairs are underway across district campuses.

The staff member said Central Junior High, Spring Hill High and Harbor High baseball and softball projects were completed over spring break, and offered a status update on the Professional Development Center and other sites. "So a quick update for the professional development center," the staff member said.

At the Professional Development Center, the speaker said primer and a first coat of paint are in place on the second floor, ductwork installation has started on both floors, and roofing was delayed by rain but crews planned to install the TPO roof this week. "We've started putting in the ceiling on the First Floor," the staff member added.

Work on finishes has continued, the speaker said, including FRP panels in second-floor restrooms and planned installation of sound panels and a final grind of concrete by custodial staff. The staff member described structural work at the Industrial Arts Building (the "old Lock Building"), saying crews were digging footings for a storm shelter and adding footings to support a new roof bracket after identifying structural issues. "All the insulation has been completed there. The electrical has been started. We should get temporary electrical power back next week," the staff member said, and noted that interior permits were issued and an exterior permit remained to be obtained.

The speaker described planned exterior work including two awnings—one on the north side and one on the south side—and temporary perimeter fencing to limit public access because of heavy foot traffic through the site.

At Harbor High, the district secured release of the football-turf project from the vendor and scheduled installation to begin May 19 after soccer season ends. The staff member said the district expects a roughly 28- to 29-day turnaround from tearing out the old turf to completion.

The staff member also reported widespread storm damage across district facilities. "We probably had 200 leaks," the speaker said, and added that the roofs could not shed water quickly enough during recent heavy rains. The speaker reported lightning strikes damaged fire alarms, some fob systems and, at the School of Innovation on Friday around noon, "took a lightning strike, knocked out the ... east generator and part of the building." The district's electrical crew bypassed transfer switches and restored emergency lights; replacement parts for the damaged transfer switch were en route, the staff member said.

The update included logistics notes: the district plans to replace deteriorated plastic fencing with black wrought-iron fencing at some sites and to install temporary fencing where needed, and custodial and trades crews are scheduling final concrete work and sound-panel installation.

The staff member invited questions and indicated crews had worked through the weekend and into the following week to address leaks and electrical repairs.

Board action on these items was not recorded in the transcript; the remarks were presented as an operational update to the board.