Ed Board Supports Roof Work at Stepney, Fawn Hollow & Masuk

Days after a rainstorm, water steadily drips inside the Stepney Elementary School cafeteria. Jack Zamary, who is in charge of building maintenance for the school district, says that's because the roof is completely saturated.

Supt. of Schools James Agostine said the first phase of roof rehab projects includes the section over Stepney's cafeteria, emergency repairs of leaks at Masuk High School and preventative maintenance at Fawn Hollow Elementary School.

"Fawn Hollow's roof has some redeeming qualities compared to the others, but if we don't address it soon, it will have a 100-percent saturated roof," Agostine told the school board Tuesday night.

If the town approves bonding in time, Agostine expects the work at Stepney to begin in the fall and Masuk's and Fawn Hollow's repairs to get underway by the summer.

Zamary presented estimates for a $175,000 roof replacement over the Stepney cafeteria, $75,000 in repairs of the larges roof leaks at Masuk and $1.5 million for a re-roof, mansard and soffit replacement at Fawn Hollow.

On Tuesday night the Board of Education endorsed the projects. Agostine expects the Town Council to vote on whether to support funding for the work when it meets on Monday and the Board of Finance to vote during a special meeting the same night.

If both town bodies agree to support it, a bonding issue will likely go to a Town Meeting and vote by residents.

The superintendent has been working closely with Board of Finance Chairman Michael Manjos. He praised the finance board and Town Council members for their interest in school building maintenance.

In fact, Town Council members will tour Monroe Elementary School's facilities at 6:30 p.m. Monday, before their 8 p.m. meeting.

Board of Education Chairman Darrell Trump said, "It's great seeing the inter-board work on the roofs."