Recent storm damaged discussed, awarding of roofing bids from older damage tabled
By BRAD KEITH
TheFlashToday.com
STEPHENVILLE (March 21, 2016) — Stephenville ISD was not immune to damages caused by the EF1 tornado that passed through Stephenville and Erath County on March 8.
Gilbert Intermediate annex lost a portion of its roof, allowing water damage in classrooms used for band and band storage, according to an email from SISD maintenance director Keith Starnes that Matt Underwood shared with trustees during his superintendent’s report as part of a monthly school board meeting at Bond Auditorium Monday.
The email from Starnes to Underwood stated a piano and stereo received significant water damage, but students’ instruments received very little damage. Water damage is a common issue when it comes to storms so companies like Water Damage and Roofing Round Rock can help repair the damage. The building itself needs all new ceiling tiles and ceiling insulation. The rooms may have to be repainted, the email says. The roof was quickly patched and Steamatc came and cleaned and dried everything they could.
Central and Gilbert elementary campuses had numerous windows damaged in the storm, the SHS baseball field lost the bulk of the wind screen for its outfield fence and the advertising portion of the scoreboard was also damaged. The email says the rest of the scoreboard is “okay,” but it was not operational at two home baseball games last week.
The email states TASB insurance agents were notified and were present within two days to assess the damage.
Starnes also shared the tabulation of costs and repair bids associated with roofing damage caused by a storm in May of 2014, and local roofing contractor Joe Don Slawson of Slawson Roofing addressed the board regarding his bid specifically.
The board seemed driven to give Slawson Roofing, as a local contractor, each portion of the business it bid on, but references were called into question for all the companies with bids being considered. Ultimately, after much discussion back and forth, the board was split between expediency and local business versus taking time to review references and reshuffle the awarding of bids. All of the qualifying proposed bids are listed here.
“Personally I’m disappointed all the references haven’t already been checked,” said trustee Sherrie Evans, a feeling that led to the tabling of the matter with the understanding that a called meeting will be held next Monday to award the bids.
“I’m concerned if we delay this anymore we will be starting school without a finished product,” said Starnes, a feeling echoed by Underwood and some trustees.
Other notable business included:
*Band and DECA members were recognized to begin the meeting. The SHS DECA program had 10 state qualifiers and the Yellow Jacket band had more than 30 earn all-state honors.
*The May 7 school board election was canceled and the certification of unopposed incumbents Keri Vanden Berge and Scott Osman was unanimously approved.
*Spring break for the 2016-17 school year was pushed back a week to March 13-17, aligning it with Tarleton State University.
*In his superintendent’s report, Underwood discussed trademarking the district’s iChampion digital initiative and the school’s Yellow Jacket and Honeybee logos, noting that a compromise would have to be made concerning the stars that represent athletic championships. Trustee Scott Osman questioned why the district cared to trademark them, and Underwood explained that currently anyone can use the logos on merchandise for sale or more and the district receives nothing in return.
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