Gymnasium roof, athletic complex progress reports

The architectural firm SKC of LaGrange, who has managed the construction of the new baseball, softball and tennis facilities, as well as the replacement of the majority of the roof on Trimble County High School, made extensive reports during the Jan. 16 meeting of the Trimble County Board of Education.

Stan Klausing, president of SKC, reported to the board that the new baseball, tennis and softball construction projects are at about 95 percent completion, with only some minor grading and re-seeding of some areas left to be completed once the winter weather passes. A second issue of some cracks in the concrete floor of the locker rooms and concession stand area of the building are being watched, and corrective action will occur later this year. The general contractor has been very attentive to the final list of “punch-list” items over the past two weeks, according to Klausing. The board is retaining a percentage of the funds due the contractor, until all of the issues mentioned previously have been corrected to the satisfaction of the board.

In a separate report, Klausing updated the BOE on the status of the roof replacement project at the high school. To remind the board members, Klausing reviewed the events surrounding the roof repairs to the high school, which included both a new roof for the original high school building and the gymnasium; the anticipated cost of the project was estimated at $1,250,000. The money for this project is to be completely paid with “Offers-Of-Assistance” funds from the Kentucky Department of Education, which are paid out thru the issuance of bonds. Simply stated, the BOE signs a loan for the amount for 20 years, and the state sends the annual payments, including the accumulated interest, to the district to pay off the loan (bonds). Klausing reported that, aside from some handrail issues near the air conditioning units, the high school roof is completed.

However, when the roofing contractor, Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal of Lexington, began the replacement of the gym roof, previously undetected defects in the roof base panels brought the project to a halt. These panels, wood fiber interior and roof deck acoustical products known as Tectum, had pulled apart or otherwise deteriorated to the point that it was unsafe for workmen to be on the roof to make the replacement.

Architect Klausing has negotiated with Kalkreuth to replace the 2-inch thick panels with 3-inch items that will meet current building codes. These negotiations will result in an increase of approximately $200,000 to the project costs.

Superintendent Marcia Dunaway and Chief Financial Officer Phillip Harmon are working closely with KDE to gain the necessary approvals, and are also working with the district’s property and casualty insurer to recover some of the cost, as there were undetected hail damaged areas of the roof that will be covered by insurance.

The board voted to allow Supt. Dunaway to enter into agreements with the contractor to make the gym roof repairs. In order to facilitate an orderly and timely project, the board had to agree to give Kalkreuth unrestricted access to the gym, beginning the day after graduation. The staff and students will be able to utilize the locker rooms, but for all practical purposes the gym will not be available until the contractor achieves a “Substantial Completion” of the project, currently set at Aug. 1, 2013. The contractor will be responsible for taking whatever measures are necessary to protect the gym floor, lighting and bleachers from any damage. Board member Jill Simmons proposed that the superintendent take a number of photos to document the condition of the floor prior to the work by the roofers. 

In other business, the board voted to have regular meetings on the first and third Wednesday of each month, with the meetings to begin at 5:30 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Feb. 6 at the board office, 68 Wentworth Lane in Bedford.