Broken trusses at Robert Frost prompt emergency bracing and repair plan

Kim, a district administrator, told the board the district found multiple broken trusses above the Robert Frost Elementary kitchen and adjacent spaces and immediately called an engineer to inspect the building. "We noticed that there were a couple of broken trusses...there were 5 total above that area," Kim said, and ZCS Engineering was on site within roughly an hour to assess the damage and design temporary shoring.

The engineer cleared the building for occupancy after crews installed bracing, but the district still must plan permanent repairs and likely a roof replacement on that side of the building. Kim said the broken members do not appear to be the result of a leak or storm damage; the engineer attributed the failures primarily to the building’s age and lower-quality construction at that wing. Board members pressed staff about whether prior facility assessments had inspected trusses; one trustee said the district’s earlier site assessments did not appear to identify this condition.

School operations were adjusted while repairs were underway — staff prepared cold lunches off-site and sent students home on the day of the discovery — and the district said it will prioritize getting permanent work done over the winter break if bids allow. "The building has been cleared by the engineer. It's completely safe to be in," Kim said. The district placed $500,000 in a capital-improvement fund to address emergent facility problems and plans to use that fund for initial work; staff will present bids and timelines to the board once engineering plans are complete.

The board asked staff to report back on the condition of other district roofs and trusses as part of a broader long-range facilities review.