Board reviews multi-vendor assessment for Emmett High domes; trustees trim educational-suitability scope
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Summary
The board reviewed a KPFF-led proposal to evaluate the high-school domes for structure, envelope, geotech and educational suitability. Trustees expressed safety concerns and agreed to proceed with core engineering tests now, deferring or omitting the Hummel educational-suitability subtask to limit cost.
Trustees on Monday discussed a multi-firm proposal to evaluate the Emmett High School domes’ condition and life-safety needs, with engineers and architects set to inspect structural framing, building envelope, geotechnical conditions and educational suitability.
"We know that it's settling, we know it's cracking, and I wanna make sure that we pay what we need you to know, our kids are safe," a trustee said during the meeting, pressing for tests the board can rely on to determine whether the domes remain safe and what repairs would cost.
Superintendent Woods reviewed the proposal materials from KPFF (project lead), Hummel (architectural/educational-suitability review), Atlas Geotechnical, Muchgrow (mechanical), Stantec (envelope/infrared), Veritas Material Construction (structural testing) and Bended Construction (cost estimation). Staff provided a fee breakdown for each firm and an overall cost estimate to complete the assessment.
Several trustees questioned whether the educational-suitability piece (to be performed by Hummel architects) is worth its additional cost, saying the domes’ general limitations are longstanding and that the board primarily needs clear life-safety and structural findings. The superintendent proposed moving forward with the core technical assessments now and postponing or removing the Hummel educational-suitability scope, which trustees supported.
Board members also raised corrosion risks if water penetrates concrete and noted door and egress problems within the facility. Staff said detailed testing (including geotechnical borings and lab testing) would take several weeks to complete and that a final report could be ready in April if work started promptly.
No contract award was finalized at the meeting; trustees instructed staff to proceed with the core engineering tasks, invite KPFF or specific consultants to a future meeting to present findings, and to bring back any recommended additional scopes if the initial tests indicate further evaluation is needed.