Recent rain highlights need for Millbrook school roof repair

MILLBROOK — Heavy rain fall flooded the Millbrook Middle School, underscoring a need across the Central School District for leaky roof repairs and delaying school operations by several hours Thursday, Dec. 12.

“Our primary focus is always to maintain a safe and secure environment for students and staff,” said District Superintendent Caroline Hernandez Pidala.

Supintendent Hernandez Pidala reported that on Wednesday evening, there was rain falling inside the middle school building and somewhat less severe infiltration in two other school buildings.

“With hours of rain ahead and the potential for conditions to worsen, we called a two-hour delay. This allowed the storm to pass and provided needed time to reassess the situation in drier conditions during daylight hours. We had crews on campus until 11 p.m. and they returned at 4 a.m. to optimize containment and remediation efforts. With this additional time, we were able to salvage the school day for all students,” Hernandez Pidala said.

The Middle School had been the hardest hit. There were 27 affected areas throughout all levels of the Middle School including classrooms, the gymnasium, fitness lab, auditorium, corridors and bathrooms, Hernandez Pidala said.

The Dutchess BOCES Safety & Risk Coordinator was called in to inspect current conditions and advise school officials of any necessary additional precautions. Testing will determine damaged building materials for the presence of asbestos and any other hazardous materials that may have been disturbed as a result of the history of leaks. Samples will be taken to monitor indoor air quality.

Due to the potential presence of asbestos-containing materials in the auditorium ceiling, that area will remain closed until school officials have a full assessment of the structural integrity of that roof and the related ceiling system beneath, Hernandez Pidala said.

The issue of roof remediation was expected to be included on the agenda of the next meeting of the Central School District Board.