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Board weighs building consolidation as repair needs mount; authorizes bid for high-school fire alarm
Summary
Superintendent and buildings supervisor told the Claymont board Feb. 9 that recent weather exposed sprinkler and HVAC failures and that the Claymont High School fire alarm system is at end-of-life; the board authorized advertising bids for fire-alarm replacement and asked administrators to draft consolidation and capital-plan options.
Superintendent Brian Rentsch told the board Feb. 9 that, "looking at the forecast, Bradon's report and the capital plan, we need to look at options to save money and possibly consolidate buildings," and asked administrators to prepare 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-year capital plans including plan B and C alternatives.
Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Bradon Smith described weather-related failures: frozen and broken sprinkler lines that required emergency repair, a failing 20-year air handler for the gym and cafeteria that must be replaced or paired with costly electric heaters, boiler repairs, rooftop-unit repairs and a fire alarm system at Claymont High School that is at end-of-life with "alarms have been going off spontaneously and parts are getting harder to find." The board later authorized the district to advertise bids for fire-alarm replacement at Claymont High School as part of superintendent recommendations.
Board members said they want options to reduce operating costs, including consolidation scenarios. Superintendent Rentsch will work with building administrators to develop possible closures and staggered capital plans for each building.
