STRONG — While there is no money in the budget for snow removal on district schools, money can be taken from the MSAD 58 capital improvement fund should it be needed.
January 17 Cassidy Hill called the Franklin Journal office to share her concerns about snow removal practices at the Strong Elementary School.
Hill’s son is in the first grade. His classroom has a leak.
A parent has voiced concerns about the amount of snow on the roof of the Strong Elementary School. The front of the school is seen on Jan. 17. MSAD 58 Superintendent Susan Pratt has said it is being watched and will be dealt with if removal is warranted. (Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear)
Hill said there is a lot of snow on the roof and a broken drain. She had been told there was no money in the budget for removal of snow from the roof of the school.
“We’ve got to take care of the school, the kids,” she said.
When contacted by phone the director of facilities and transportation, Scott Lehay said, “There’s probably no school in Maine that doesn’t have a roof leak somewhere. Per OSHA, we can’t put district employees on the roof. We can hire someone.”
He said a roof rake had been used to clear snow from the edges of the Strong school. Recently 16 inches of snow was measured on the flat roof.
The rear entrance of the Strong Elementary School is seen on Jan. 17. MSAD 58 has no money in the budget for removal of snow from the roof, but the capital improvement funds are available should more snow this winter make it necessary. (Franklin Journal photo by Dee Menear)
“There’s no money in the budget to shovel the roof. If warranted, we could use money from the capital improvement fund. After the next storm we may have to do something,” Lehay said.
Later Strong Elementary School Principal Brenda Dwiggins said OSHA has strict guidelines that must be followed.
“I spoke with superintendent Susan Pratt. She told me ‘We are watching the roof. If something needs to be done, we’ll do it,'”Dwiggins said.
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