School’s new roof might not make the grade

Richmond Community Schools officials are concerned about the quality of Test Intermediate School’s $1.6 million new roof, and they want more information.

At their Oct. 8 meeting, RCS’ board voted 7-0 to hire an outside expert to evaluate the new roof before making more payments to the original contractor. Two of four payments have been made.

Attorney Ron Cross said RCS is at “a crossroads” and favored awareness of the adversary proceedings, which could cost over $13,000.

Cross said RCS has been withholding payments because the work hasn’t yet been approved by its architect, Kevin McCurdy of LWC Inc. in Richmond.

In November 2024, RCS’ board approved a contract with Freedom Roof, Windows, and Siding, LLC of Woodville, Ohio, for $1,654,608.40.

In March, the board learned the roof work was about two-thirds finished and was paused until June. Crews had resumed efforts after temperatures increased, but school officials said it was too noisy heading into testing season.  

Cross said concerns have arisen about rippling, ruffles and inconsistencies not compatible with a properly placed subroof and shingle overlay. Those concerns prompt questions about the quality of work in unseen areas.

A third party is needed to give an independent evaluation of the roof’s current state and provide recommendations, Cross said.

LWC found MK International, Inc. Construction Consultants and Engineers of Hagerstown, Maryland, which is a sister city of Hagerstown, Indiana. MK proposed an initial $13,840 investigation. If needed, the second phase could be $7,080 more.

Cross said consultants could have been paid for without the board’s approval, but he favored transparency.

Head Start

Richmond Community Schools officially hired its new Head Start and Early Head Start employees as of Oct. 1. Some previously worked for the program before RCS began running it a few weeks ago.

• Head Start lead teachers: Renee Abrams, Kelly Allen, Veronica Bever-Wohermann, Samantha Nunez, Heather Pierce, Anita Luzetta Thomas, Michelle Truitt
• Mentor coach: Breanna Bennett, Tarah Peters
• Early Head Start lead teachers: Christa Burns, Alexis Carter, Kara Cole, Teresa Eddy, Jennifer Franklin, Kinzie Howell, Aqueelah Hubbard, Makiylah Jett, Nicholas Napier, Devin Pryor, Andrea Rose, Ariana Williams
• Program aides: Karla Caballero, Marquita Clemons, Alicia Copes, Cynthia Howard, Lachelle Long, Angela Minor, Vanessa Orr
• Teaching assistants: Cynthia Davis, Diamond Foster, Felicia Mohler, Lisa Napier, Tiffany Taylor, Ashlyn Turner, Hailey Wren
• Health manager: Katherine Clang
• Center supervisors: Kayla Franklin, Tiffany King, Ann Tibbot
• Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance Manager: Lori Lakes
• Operations manager: Kayla Persinger
• Education/Disabilities manager: Hether Thomas
• Facilities/In-kind: Rebecca Wren
• Office clerical: Natasha Napier

The board corrected the benefit package involving health, life, dental and long-term disability insurance options, pay for unexpected closures, holidays/personal days, bereavement and retirement contributions for Head Start infant/toddler teachers.

Board members also approved a new conflict of interest statement for member Michael Elorreaga noting the new role of his wife, Jenny, as RCS’ director of Head Start and early learning.

In other business

• The board approved budget, capital projects and bus replacement plans. During public commentary, resident Rod Weiss said RCS needs to consider cutting administrators and assistant coaches to keep dwindling resources in classrooms. He also urged the board to consider prioritizing HVAC needs at Starr Elementary with unspent bond funds.
• Field trips for Business Professionals of America’s state competition in March and eighth graders to New York City were approved.
• Several policies were approved after second reading on topics such as suspension/expulsion of students and students with disabilities, anti-harassment and search/seizure.

RCS’ next board meeting is 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12; the policy meeting was rescheduled for 4-5:30 p.m. Nov. 17. The public is invited to attend both meetings in the administration building, 300 Hub Etchison Parkway.