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Committee endorses immediate interior foundation repairs at Whitman Middle School
Summary
After an investigative test cut revealed collapsed interior drain tile and ongoing water intrusion at Whitman Middle School, the committee endorsed immediate Phase 1 work under emergency purchasing policy and asked staff to bring finalized quotes and insurance claim updates to the board in August.
Committee members discussed an urgent recommendation to repair failing foundation drainage at Whitman Middle School and endorsed immediate Phase 1 work to prevent further interior water intrusion.
Facilities staff said a test cut showed collapsed interior drain tile and active seepage beneath classroom slabs; interior drain lines could not be traced on original drawings and several runs appeared blocked or failed. "One of these pipes actually collapsed," the facilities presenter reported after showing investigative photos that revealed degraded drain tile and water infiltration.
Recommended action and costs: staff recommended continuing a saw‑cut along the interior elevation, designing a new interior drain‑tile system and implementing an immediate repair phase. Staff provided a design fee estimate of about $30,000 (Zimmerman and Harwood Engineering) and a rough construction estimate from the contractor (Fendorf) of about $175,000; with contingency and unknowns staff recommended asking the board to authorize up to $300,000 for Phase 1 so work could begin this summer. They said Phase 2 (exterior excavation, waterproofing and larger drainage work) would be designed for next summer and budgeted separately.
Insurance and schedule: staff said an April infiltration incident generated an insurance claim (roughly $187,000 billed) and restoration costs for room finishes could be an additional ~$100,000; if the claim is denied the district would cover restoration. Staff said the most invasive interior work would occur before school starts to minimize instructional disruption and requested authority to proceed under purchasing policy 63‑20 for emergency projects to allow timely contractor mobilization.
Committee action: the finance and resource committee endorsed a motion directing the superintendent to authorize emergency Phase 1 repairs at Whitman pursuant to policy 63‑20 and to return finalized design quotes and a full cost package to the board in August. The committee’s endorsement will allow staff to issue purchase orders and begin work immediately to limit intrusion into the school year.
