Altoona board approves contractors and transfers after junior-high water-line break; insurance to cover most costs

The board approved contracting SERVPRO Cleaning, Restoration & Construction and several specialty contractors to perform mitigation and reconstruction work at Altoona Area Junior High after damage from a broken fire-sprinkler waterline.

Administration told trustees the work is necessary because of flooding caused by the break. The board also approved transfers into the capital reserve fund using tax proceeds from recent property sales: $9,000 from proceeds of the former Lumax property, $30,500 from the sale of Nittany Pointe Apartments, and $25,875 from the sale of part of Park Hills Plaza. Administration said payment will be made by the district’s insurance carrier with the exception of a $25,000 deductible.

Superintendent Brett praised staff and first responders for the response. "So when we moved 1,500 kids over here to the high school for the day, our cafeteria staff made sure that they were fed," he said, saluting maintenance, nurses and police for their assistance during the incident and the subsequent cleanup.

The board approved the business-operations items, including the contracts and transfers, by voice vote.