BETHEL — The SAD 44 board Monday approved a warrant article requesting $210,000 be taken from capital reserves to pay for major repairs to three school buildings.

The action came following a presentation by Buildings and Grounds Director Ron Deegan, who outlined projects that should be done immediately.

The original proposal was to ask residents to move $100,000 from capital reserves, but following Deegan’s presentation, the board decided it would benefit the district to also make repairs to a second-priority list.

The most important projects, as determined by Deegan, are to repair a section of the roof at Woodstock Elementary School, which he said has more than 200 patches and continues to leak, and similar repairs to a section of the Telstar Regional Middle/High School roof and install new roof drains.

Board member Tim Carter said roof problems are a major concern for many schools around the state. He wanted more capital reserve money to be used at SAD 44, he said.

Superintendent David Murphy said many projects could be tackled. Right now, the district has $800,000 set aside for capital repairs.

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Deegan also said that several other repairs, almost as critical, are needed.

They are repairs to a second section of the Telstar complex roof, repairs to the building’s soffits and fascia, which are directly below the roof’s eaves, and repairs to a section of the Andover Elementary School roof. The total for this tier of repairs is estimated to be about $108,000.

Carter moved to amend the original motion to take $100,000 from the capital reserves to $210,000.

“Leaks only get worse,” he said.

Deegan said if residents approve using the funds, all projects should be completed during the summer.

Deegan’s presentation and the remainder of the Monday’s board meeting followed a tour of a section of the middle and high schools. He pointed out that the recently completed air quality project has greatly improved air flow into the classrooms. He also told Finance Committee members that the divider in the gymnasium is no longer functional and should be replaced so two classes could use the space at the same time.

Voters will meet May 27 at the high school auditorium in Bethel to discuss and vote on the school budget.


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