Letter: High School roof repair at $300,000

The school district says damage to the high school's roof that occurred during the December blizzard could cost more than $300,000, according to an unsigned letter on the district's web site.

The district's insurance policy is covering the cost of the repair, the letter says, except for a $1,000 deductible.

A copy of the district's letter is attached to this story in .pdf form.

The letter says the roof buckled under the weight of the snow and blowing drifts from the storm that dropped about 30 inches of snow in Wall, which also stranded motorists and overwhelmed the township's capability to respond.

The letter also blames the roof damage in large part for the district's decision to close all seven schools on Jan. 3.

"The aforementioned damage, which was discovered on Thursday, December 30th played a primary role in the closing of schools on January 3rd," the letter says.

The damage, discovered on Dec. 30, continues to cause problems for the school, according to the letter. One set of boys and girls bathrooms remain closed because of the damage, and sections of the roof are still being dried out, it says.
Countertops in one room of the school also may need to be replaced, the letter says.

District personnel, in concert with its hired professionals, township officials and contractors, went to work on the problem immediately after it was discovered, the letter says.

"District personnel are involved in on-going evaluation, assessment and planning as they explore all possible options and timelines for reconstruction of the failed roof areas," the letter says.