PHOTO: The roof on the center building at Brookside Primary School is replaced in July 2024. Roofers return October 10 to replace the north building roof. File photo by Lisa Scagliotti.
Despite the record dry spell and ongoing drought conditions in Vermont, a brief break in the sunshine last week for rain showers revealed leaks in the roof at Brookside Primary School and emergency repairs are scheduled for next weekend.
“During last week’s rain, the roof on the south building experienced significant leaks,” explained Harwood Unified Union School District Superintendent Mike Leichliter.
Facilities manager Ray Daigle contacted roofing contractor Evergreen, who has replaced other roof sections at the school recently, to inspect the damage.
“Evergreen’s inspection found the south building roof to be in critical condition, requiring full replacement rather than repair. They identified extensive problems, including missing and damaged shingles, improperly attached materials, and exposed sheathing,” Leichliter said.
Patching the roof was deemed not viable. “They determined it couldn't be adequately repaired to ensure we wouldn't have significant issues over the winter,” Daigle said.
The south building was scheduled for roof replacement next summer, Daigle noted. Evergreen provided a quote of $56,000 to complete an emergency replacement beginning October 10. The Harwood School Board meets on Wednesday, October 8, and will be asked to approve using the district’s Maintenance Reserve Fund for the project, the superintendent said.
Presuming the school board approves the expenditure, and weather permitting, the contractor would start on Friday, which is an in-service day in the school district. There are no classes for students, although teachers and staff will have trainings that day. The district’s schools also are closed on Monday, October 13, for the Indigenous People’s Day holiday.
Daigle said the project will require just a few days and work should be completed prior to students arriving back to school on October 14, weather permitting.
High Street was closed on Friday morning from 9 a.m. to noon for the contractor to set up along the south end of the building to do the roof demolition.
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