School committee directs superintendent to issue statement on recurring roof leaks

The Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee voted unanimously on March 24 to direct Superintendent Aaron Dean to issue a public statement describing recent roof leaks and the district's short-term maintenance plan.

Fred Lora, speaking for the maintenance subcommittee, detailed recurring spring-thaw leaks affecting the auditorium, hallways and classrooms, and said he, Superintendent Dean and other committee members had walked the buildings with roofing contractors. Lora read a prepared statement outlining the issues and a potential multi-year plan, and urged the committee to reassure the community that the district will address the problem. "We are going to commit to the community that we are going to take care of their property," Lora said.

Superintendent Aaron Dean said inspections identified seam leaks, flashing issues near fire doors and places where water has come through HVAC penetrations. He noted that last year some roofs came out of warranty and that the district will manage water and make repairs until a capital project is feasible. Dean offered to send the statement via the district's messenger system and post it on the website; the committee directed the statement to be issued on behalf of the School Committee and transmitted through the superintendent's communications.

Committee members discussed the messaging channel. Erin Milne said that sending the statement through school messenger to families would reduce public comment on social media, and Adam Emerson said any formal statement should be voted on and could be refined before release.

Outcome: On a motion by Fred Lora, seconded by Robert Tetlow, the committee voted unanimously to direct the superintendent to make a statement about the status of the roof, the strategic maintenance plan and the committee's vision for future roof work. The administration will draft language and circulate it to the committee for review.