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Board hears urgent facility problems; discusses building consolidation and fire‑alarm bid
Summary
District officials reported weather damage to the Intermediate School, an aging High School fire alarm system and other equipment failures. The superintendent was directed to prepare multi‑year capital plans and options that could include building consolidation.
District facilities staff told the Claymont board on Feb. 9 that weather exposed multiple issues requiring near‑term attention and capital planning.
Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Bradon Smith reported that frozen lines broke a sprinkler line at the Intermediate School (an emergency repair), the 20‑year‑old air handler for the gym and cafeteria is failing and parts for the High School fire alarm system are increasingly hard to find as the system reaches end‑of‑life. The board authorized the administration to advertise bids for fire alarm replacement at Claymont High School.
Superintendent Brian Rentsch framed the facilities concerns as part of a larger fiscal picture: looking at the financial forecast and the capital plan, the district needs to examine options to save money and may need to evaluate building consolidation. Board members asked for Plan B and C and multi‑year capital plans (1, 3, 5 and 7 years) for each building so the board can weigh possible closures or other cost‑saving measures.
