Board warned of unexpected south‑wall and septic repairs; finance staff say reserves should cover costs

Facilities staff told the board that removing siding on the school’s south wall exposed significant rot around windows, damaged jack studs and deteriorated sheathing that was more extensive than expected. The facilities speaker estimated the additional structural repairs at about $17,050 to replace studs, remove and reinstall windows and restore sheathing and trim.

The same staff also described recurring septic overflows from a catch basin, required jet‑truck cleaning, and a damaged heat pipe in the pump station’s sand trap; staff estimated excavation and pipe replacement at roughly $4,000–$5,000.

“...when we pull the siding off, there’s considerably more damage than we anticipated,” the facilities representative said, noting crews will replace rotted studs and related framing. The board asked for a timeline; facilities staff estimated siding repairs would be completed in about three weeks and said the septic repair would be completed promptly after excavation.

Finance staff said the facilities cost center showed about $81,000 before spring maintenance expenses and that the board previously voted to allow transfers of up to $15,000 between cost centers when needed. Finance and board members discussed options including transferring funds from the special‑education cost center if required and agreed staff would provide explicit transfer options if costs exceed available line items.

Board members asked for specific options rather than an automatic decision to draw from special‑education funds. The board indicated a goal to complete the work and record any necessary transfers before the end of FY26.