Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
A large portion of the roof at Harry S. Truman High School in Bristol Township will be replaced this summer.
The work was awarded to Weatherproofing Technologies Inc. of Ohio and could begin within two weeks, officials said. The project is expected to cost the district just under $2 million.
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Business manager John Steffy and board member Jim Baker said the company will replace a 70,000-square-foot section of the 220,000-square-foot roof by ripping it down to the metal. Baker added the sections being replaced are in the most serious need of work.
The 70,000-square-foot section covers the lobby, cafeteria and some classrooms, according to a plan displayed Monday night. Depending on the work schedule, three smaller sections could be replaced before school starts in September.
“We think we know how bad the damage is, but we really won’t know until we get the roof up,” Baker said. Steffy told the board there could be a cost savings or increase based on what workers find once the roof in taken up.
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The new sections of roof will be covered by a 30 year warranty. Other portions of the current roof are still covered by warranty, Baker said.
In order to cover the cost of the work, the district will likely have to take out a bond for roughly $10 million, Steffy said, adding the district will have to pay off the debt for the next 28 years. The bond will cover the roof and rest will go to pay for the new school at the Mary Devine Elementary School site in Croydon.
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Truman’s roof has been the focus of concern by some parents since photos of water-damaged bathroom were published by LevittownNow.com in 2014. Parents have voiced their concerns on the roof during public board meetings before.
Baker said the district will likely do more roof work next summer.
The roof has previously had upgrades on sections twice in the past 20 years.
