TheRoof The supervisors last week okayed $28,000 to pay

TheRoof

The supervisors last week okayed $28,000 to pay for emergency repairs to the elementary school roof. The amount is just a drop in the bucket compared to what the School Board has requested to complete work that is intended to halt leaks once and for all. The budget for 198485 contains $110,000 total for the RCES roof repairs project. Subtract that amount and the increase in local funds called for in the proposed budget would be 18 percent.

It’s time to abandon half measures. Anyone who doubts that the “patch-a-bit-here” and “patch-a-bitthere” approach has failed should visit the elementary school.

After last week’s rain, a comer of classroom 19 was crowded with 18 cans and buckets catching drips.

“We move everything to one side and then the leaks start somewhere else,” reported one teacher. Other teachers said their students complained of headaches from the smell. It was indeed overpowering, a noxious mixture of rotting insulation and disinfectant.

Despite the herculean early morning efforts of janitors, water still stood in pools in classrooms, hallways and bathrooms by afternoon. In several rooms, ceiling tiles have been removed, exposing the “innards” of the roof. In many others and in the halls, more tiles are stained and marked by water seepage.

That’s in the north wing, the section guaranteed emergency repairs.

There are other emergencies-inthe making. Rugs are rolled back and buckets positioned in the library to catch leaks after every rain. Additional buckets are scattered around the entry foyer. Walls in classrooms around the building show signs of less serious leaks.

In the past, roof repairs have been handled in piecemeal fashion in order to spread the expense over several years. If that approach continues, we foresee more emergencies in the future.