Roof, fire-safety work on Geneva schools' chore list
The gales of Jan. 10 pushed a roof replacement up on the fix-it list for the Geneva school district this year.
The district had planned on replacing the 14-year-old roof over the gymnasium at Western Avenue Elementary School sometime within the next seven or so years.
But winds, which reached speeds of 50 to 60 mph, tore the membrane, separating it from insulation below it. So now replacement tops the list of a $580,250 work plan the school board approved Monday night.
There was no estimate of the cost, other than $50,000 for the deductible and depreciation. Insurance could cover part of the costs, according to Scott Ney, the district's facility operations director. The Geneva Park District will chip in, too, he reported. It uses the gym for activities.
Other work includes replacing fire shutters at the library at Geneva Middle School South. They are broken, and repair attempts haven't worked. The library will instead be enclosed in glass walls.
The projects are part of the seven-year plan Ney presented, totaling $8.87 million worth of work, he estimated.
Part of the costs include setting aside money for the eventual replacement of four boilers at Geneva High School. The boilers, including one that is 60 years old, are a brand that is no longer manufactured, and replacement parts have become difficult to obtain, according to the district.
The board also approved a seven-year security projects plan, with a modification. Board President Mark Grosso suggested that construction of a more-secure front entrance at Harrison Street Elementary School be moved up from the fourth year to this year. The building should have a secure vestibule that forces visitors to first enter the main office and have their credentials checked, like other Geneva schools, according to Amy Campbell, safety and security supervisor.
"We might want to do that over the summer," Grosso said.