Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board warned of $300k–$500k in water and septic repairs at Stony/Stone Creek Elementary
Summary
District staff told the board preliminary estimates to repair Stony/Stone Creek Elementary’s water tower and to clean/dredge septic ponds range from about $102,500 for the tank to $227,000 for pond work; total combined needs (including pumps, irrigation and access) could approach $500,000 and require capital outlay or grant support.
District maintenance and facilities staff told the board they have received preliminary cost estimates for repairs and regulatory work at Stone Creek Elementary that could require several hundred thousand dollars.
Maintenance director Alan Petite (S6) said DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) recommended inspections of the elevated water storage tank every three to five years. A contractor’s preliminary estimate to epoxy the inside and repaint the water tower came in at about $102,500; dredging and treating the septic/irrigation ponds is estimated at roughly $227,000. Staff cautioned that pumps, irrigation heads, and additional repairs could push total costs closer to $500,000 when disposal and road access are included.
Petite said one vendor that has operated the pump/treatment system (identified in the meeting as PACE) notified the district it could no longer maintain the ponds. That change increases urgency, because the ponds are part of the site’s wastewater treatment system and DEQ permits are active.
Board members asked whether the DEQ email in the packet said there were immediate compliance failures; staff replied DEQ’s March 2 note recommended an inspection and did not list active violations, but a full inspection could place the district on a timetable to complete repairs. Staff recommended completing pond cleanup during dry months and indicated the water‑tower work must be scheduled in summer for epoxy cures.
School officials emphasized funding is likely to be local capital outlay or fund balance, or require county support; the superintendent reminded members that state allotment changes and capital funding constraints complicate choices.
What happens next: staff will return with firm quotes and a recommended funding source; because PACE is stepping away from routine operations, the board and staff agreed pond work should be prioritized to avoid permit jeopardy.
