Northridge board hears stadium progress and Purple Star recognition; district reports tornado damage to roofs

At the April 16 meeting the Northridge Board of Education heard a superintendent update that Northridge High School was selected as a Purple Star School by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, recognizing supports for military‑connected students. Superintendent Dr. Michael said the award is valid for three years and the district will display the certificate in the military recognition area.

The board also received an extensive facilities and capital‑planning update. Dr. Michael and Mr. Lewis described stadium construction progress: turf installation was nearly complete, visitor stands were about 95% finished and work on the home stands and concession interiors was under way. Dr. Michael noted boosters had taken photos during a site visit and the district will post Robertson contractor reports and monthly photos on the district website.

"Being out there today, it was really fascinating to get to watch the crew in action in terms of, like, how they pull and run almost like a steamroll over it," Dr. Michael said, describing the turf work.

Treasurer Mr. Lewis presented the district’s updated capital plan, permanent‑improvement (003) fund listings and a cash‑flow analysis through June 2027, identifying near‑term projects (fire panel, safety and security, high‑school building furniture, parking lot reseal) and contingency planning for cost outliers.

Board members asked about prioritization; Mr. Lewis said the plan reflects current needs and that student input shifted some priorities (students preferred furniture over carpet). He repeated that the stadium remains on budget on paper, cited weather-related schedule impacts, and described the process the district uses to compare multiple budget views.

The meeting also included a storm‑damage report: Mr. Lewis said recent tornado damage affected the district office skirting and insulation, the middle‑school roofing stone was blown off the EPDM build‑up roof and one custodian’s truck was damaged. He said the district is filing insurance claims and seeking bids for repairs. Mr. Lewis noted a warranty consideration: the original roof manufacturer Tremco holds a 25‑year warranty, but the district is seven years into that coverage and a natural‑disaster repair can put warranty status at risk unless Tremco performs the work or the district pays the difference to preserve the warranty.

"It's a 25 year warranty, and we're 7 years in," Mr. Lewis said. "The only way to get that back under warranty is for the company that has the warranty, which is Tremco, to do the work. If Tremco doesn't come in at a market rate and we have to select somebody else, then we will not have a warranty. Or we could choose to take what the insurance company is willing to give, and we could pay the difference to keep the warranty." The board asked staff to continue getting additional bids and to work with insurance.

No board action was taken on the storm report beyond directing staff to collect bids and coordinate with insurers. The board offered members and boosters opportunities for tours of the stadium progress and said photographs and Robertson reports will be posted online for public review. The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 20, 2024.