Roof leaks plaguing four GCSC buildings

The repaired roof of Deer Meadow Primary School spent much of the dry summer untested by Indiana's severe drought. The final exam came when children returned and brought with them a wet August.

How did the test go? To put in primary school terms, the roof certainly "needs improvement."

Superintendent Dr. Lori Richmond told the Greencastle School Board Wednesday evening there are 16 leaks from the roof of the 11-year-old structure -- six of them new since roof repair work was completed in 2011.

"It appears there are still structural problems," Richmond reported.

Deer Meadow is not the only building suffering from leaks, though. Richmond said Tzouanakis Intermediate School, Greencastle High School and the McAnally Center have all had leaks in the last month.

"I appreciate our maintenance crew because with all those leaks, they're up there and they are trying to stop them," Richmond said.

The difference in the Deer Meadow problem and those at the other buildings is one of age. The Tzouanakis roof, for example, is 28 years old, an age at which a roof likely will start showing some wear.

The corporation has previously had a moisture expert look at the roof and consulted with the architects, roofing contractors, roofing manufacturers and shingle makers.

A satisfactory resolution has still not come to light.

"We had a so-called 'expert' tell us the Deer Meadow roof was fixed," board president Mike Dean said. "Maybe we need a new expert."

Dean went on to ask if a new set of eyes to look at the problem might offer some new solutions. Richmond seemed to agree.

"I think we need to keep looking and look at other contractors and vendors as well," Richmond said.

With the resolution of the Deer Meadow problem still up in the air, there is some hope for Tzouanakis.

The board refinanced bonds for two of its buildings earlier in the year. Additionally, the board is beginning a new bond process in which the funds could be available by December.

Between the sources, enough money would be available to replace the Tzouanakis roof in 2013.

The high school and McAnally are further down the priority list, so a permanent fix will have to wait for those two buildings.

More information from the Greencastle School Board meeting will be published in an upcoming edition.