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Contractor warns of imminent failure of elementary roof; board to consider bids and special meeting
Summary
A roofing contractor told trustees the elementary school's EPDM roof shows thermal‑bridging and fastener failures that could produce catastrophic leaks within weeks, prompting discussion of updated bids, procurement rules and a special board session to set next steps.
A roofing contractor who inspected the elementary building told the Knoxville School Board that portions of the school’s EPDM (rubber) roof are deteriorating and that the district should consider replacement rather than temporary repairs.
The contractor said EPDM membranes age unpredictably and that thermal‑bridging where fasteners penetrate the roof membrane can lead to seams and panels failing rapidly. “EPDM is the one exception … once those seams start coming apart or those fasteners start popping out, the entire roof goes from it leaks every once in a while to this is a catastrophe,” he said during the facilities presentation.
Trustees and administration discussed prior bids (one older estimate of roughly $285,000 was cited), the $80,000 public procurement threshold that triggers formal bidding, and cooperative procurement options the district might use to accelerate work without duplicative solicitations. The contractor suggested updated estimates and warned material availability and pricing have fluctuated since the COVID era.
Board members agreed the issue warrants urgent follow‑up. Administration asked the contractor to update the estimate and said the district would pursue procurement options, including cooperative purchasing or an RFP as required by law. Trustees also discussed scheduling a special board meeting to consider funding, the superintendent search timeline and related urgent agenda items.
The board did not vote on capital spending at the meeting; administration will return with updated quotes and procurement recommendations for a future, possibly special, meeting.
