Architect says middle‑school roof needs full replacement; district to seek RIDE reimbursement for HVAC units

Tracy Donnelly of Studio Jade Architects briefed the committee on schematic design findings for the Algonquin Pineside Middle School roof and related high-school roof work. Donnelly said the roof has reached the end of its useful life, with multiple past repairs, trapped moisture, ponding and deteriorated penetrations visible in roof cores and photos. “The roof is at the end of its useful life,” Donnelly said, summarizing the condition assessment.

The schematic approach proposed removing failed roofing and installing a built‑up roof system with tapered insulation to improve drainage and meet current energy-code R‑value requirements. Donnelly said the work would require raising roof-edge metal to accommodate thicker insulation, adding emergency overflows to roof drains and improving access with roof ladders; hazardous‑material sampling and testing is ongoing.

Separately, district staff asked the committee to approve three HVAC units for submission to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) reimbursement portal—one unit for the middle school and two for the high school. Staff said two bids were received and the district selected the lower bid under a master price agreement; staff will include the equipment in the schematic and construction documents uploaded to RIDE.

Why it matters: The roof replacement is a capital project affecting school comfort, safety and long‑term maintenance costs; the HVAC submission is a reimbursement request that could reduce local capital outlay.

What’s next: Designers will develop schematic documents, follow with design development and cost estimating, and submit required materials to RIDE; hazardous‑material testing results will inform the final scope.