Facilities staff warn of maintenance shortfalls as summer projects and 10-year review approach

Sam, facilities staff, said the district currently has six maintenance personnel responsible for eight schools and roughly 620,000 square feet of building, and described staffing as a limiting factor for summer projects. "Right now, I have six maintenance personnel... for 8 schools and 620,000 square feet of building," Sam said, adding the district will need to use contractors or re-prioritize projects when staff capacity is insufficient.

Sam set a goal to finalize the summer work plan by the April meeting and asked principals to submit requests for interior painting, floor grinding and other projects. He specifically described a request from Christina Manning at Woodward School to remove a movable folding wall in the media center and install a semi-permanent light-frame wall to create two full classroom spaces.

Committee members praised staff for improvements but emphasized the need to balance available funds with requested projects. Sam said last summer the district accomplished a substantial amount of work with available funds and cautioned this summer's scope will depend on how much remains after addressing Liberty curtain-related expenses.

Staff will compile a prioritized list of summer projects for the committee and will include playgrounds and asphalt repairs as topics for the 10-year facilities review scheduled April 2.