By Roz Weis,
The Decorah Community School District (DCSD) Board approved the drawings and specifications for a new roof for the Decorah Middle School.
The summer-long installation project has an estimated price tag of $1.5 million.
Board members approved an architectural bid of $48,000 in February from Shive Hattery Architecture Engineering to draw up the plans and specifications.
DCSD Superintendent Tim Cronin informed the board several months ago that the roof on the 17-year-old Decorah Middle School has leaked for 16 ½ of those years. Original roofing contractors attempted temporary repairs over the years, but those efforts were quickly exhausted.
“It has not been a good performing roof,” Cronin told the Board at a special meeting Monday afternoon.
Architects have suggested a new EPDM synthetic rubber roof be installed, similar to the roofs of other school buildings in the Decorah District. That type of roof comes with a minimum 20-year guarantee, according to Cronin. He added that some of the under decking of the current roof may be reused in the construction process.
Cost estimates were originally estimated at between $800,000 and $1 million, and Cronin said those figures have increased due to inflation.
DCSD Board members will set a special meeting in late April to open contractor bids for replacing the existing Armor Life roof. PPEL (Physical Plant Equipment Levy) and SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) funds will be utilized for project.
Bids for the project are due by Tuesday, April 23.
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