Board hears $267,000 estimate to replace cafeteria roof; officials weigh patching vs. full replacement
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Maintenance reported limited ice-storm damage but an estimated $267,000 quote to replace the roof over a school cafeteria; contractors reportedly declined to bid on temporary patching, prompting debate about whether to proceed immediately or wait for summer and public bidding requirements.
Maintenance supervisor Mister Shirley told the Natchitoches Parish School Board that the district largely "skated by" the recent ice storm but identified specific damage requiring repair: a motor starter lost at LP Vaughn, a failed pump housing under the Lakeview football field and a leaking roof over a cafeteria. Shirley said two contractor quotes were received and a third estimator was expected; the lowest full-replacement quote he reported was $267,000 "from roofline to roofline." He added that several contractors declined to quote temporary patching and recommended full replacement.
Board members questioned whether patching in the short term could be a viable stopgap or whether the district should wait until students are not in the building and pursue full replacement during the summer, potentially in the next fiscal year. Superintendent Eloy and Shirley noted that if replacement triggers a public-bid threshold the district must follow procurement rules, which could affect timing. Eloy emphasized safety concerns and said the board would try to "expedite as fast as possible" but that some hurdles — including financial realities and bidding — could delay completion until late spring.
Shirley also described plans for a new playground at LP Vaughn with a tentative installation date of March 16 and earlier cost-saving measures (repurposing rubber surfacing from another site) that allowed extra equipment to be purchased.
No vote or contract award on roofing appeared in the transcript; staff said they would continue seeking estimates and report back.