Repairs to a leaking roof over the commons area at Iola High School could help the district buy time before a full roof replacement.
Aaron Cole, maintenance director for USD 257, gave school board members an update on summer repair projects Monday night. He also prepared them for other projects that will be coming soon.
The entire roof at the high school is scheduled to be replaced in 2022, Cole said. But first the district needs to address leaks from a skylight in the commons area and near a trophy case, where the roof of the commons area meets the gymnasium.
Cole researched options and plans to obtain bids from companies that will put a special coating over the existing room, sealing joints and screws to prevent leaks.
Its kind of like putting a rubber glove over it, Superintendent Stacey Fager added.
A clear material also can coat the skylight, maintaining its ability to provide light but protect it from leaks, Cole said.
We want to see how it goes, Cole said. If its a good product, next year we can do other parts of the roof.
He also plans to begin tuckpointing work at Iola Middle School, particularly the stairs on the south side of the building. He hopes the districts maintenance crews can do the work themselves, rather than sending it out for bids.
Cole recapped summer projects, which included renovations and new classrooms at the Rural Regional Technology Center at LaHarpe. Those improvements were presented to the community as part of an open house last month.
Other summer projects included replacing concrete on a circular sidewalk at IHS and new carpet in nine classrooms at the middle and high schools. Crews currently are working on an emergency exit at the high school library, where concrete has pulled away and created a gap at the doorway.
Also, drainage lines for a sump pump on the north side of IMS will be extended and concrete replaced. The current configuration causes a buildup of slime and ice during cold weather, Cole said, which is dangerous because the area is a drop-off for the special education bus. Grass in the area will be replaced with concrete.
IN OTHER news, the board:
— Heard an update from McKinley Elementary School principal Angie Linn, who talked about changes to the preschool program. Preschool classrooms have introduced co-teaching, with a teacher from the ANW Cooperative assisting the regular classroom teacher. Preschool students also benefit from special reading programs. Linn also talked about new programs for kindergarten students, including a remediation program called What I Need (WIN). Currently, teachers are using the WIN program to help students with social and emotional development, before working on skills like math and reading.
— Decided to have the Sept. 23 board meeting at the Creitz Recital Hall at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.
