Repairs on school roofs to begin

Repairs on roofs at both campuses damaged by the tornado are expected to begin June 1.

Sam Kinchlow with Harper Perkins Architects, who worked on the original construction of both schools, gave updates to JISD board members during the May 9 board meeting. Kinchlow said the value of the extra costs built into the 2009 construction were seen during the tornado.

“During those 90 seconds the extra costs and their value were seen,” Kinchlow explained.

The elementary gym will need to be completely rebuilt from the slab up, which is actually easier than a repair job. Kinchlow said the original drawings for that gym still exist but the cost will be significantly higher.

Part of the talk was for the district to consider having a construction manager at risk as part of the project. It could save the district money in the long run.

“If the price of still goes up 20 percent from the bid price, the CMAR absorbs that and not the district, CW Farris with the firm said.

“The CMAR works with the architect for the entire process and has someone on site the whole time work is going on at either school.”

In other news, JISD principals gave campus updates in their monthly reports. All campuses have busy schedules during the last two weeks of school. JMS is bringing back the Tiger Challenge for the first time in three years due to COVID May 24.

Jacksboro Elementary is seeing big gains from its beginning of year to end of year testing, principal Michael Qualls said. Pre-K had an average score of 11 to start the year on a test, the score rose to 23 at the end of the year.

The board also discussed its aging transportation fleet. Superintendent Brad Burnett said the district has had to increase bus routes from nine to ten this year. Two buses have gone out of service with the district buying two more low mileage vehicles from the Lake Worth ISD to replace them.

“Our fleet used to average 18 years,” Burnett explained. “That is now down to 16.”

The board later purchased two Chevrolet Suburbans from a dealership in Caldwell.