Superintendent: Snow Levels Posing No Threat to Wallingford High School Roofs

While several inches of snow are still sitting on top of the roofs of both Sheehan and Lyman Hall high schools following Friday’s blizzard, neither building is in danger of any structural problems, Superintendent Salvatore Menzo said.

“The roofs are fine,” Menzo said Sunday evening. “At this point, we’re not looking to remove any snow.”

The last time the schools had roof concerns — the 2011 snow storm season — Menzo said the district’s structural engineer conducted an analysis and determined a certain load capacity that each roof could take before buckling under heavy snow levels.

When officials checked the level of snow on the schools following Friday’s storm, the district determined the snow amounts were well below that load capacity determined two years ago, Menzo said.  

Menzo said he couldn’t comment as to how many inches there were on the high schools, although he noted it was below the 36-48-inch-level calculated back in the winter of 2011. If there is a concern with certain snowdrifts that pile up, then the school district will bring in people to remove the top layer of snow.

“So, knock on wood, so far, so good,” the school chief said.

He also said the snow has no impact on the second phase of roof renovation the district will start this summer. The roofs had some issues last fall during Superstorm Sandy.

Several streets are still not plowed in Wallingford and the ones that are plowed are reduced to single lanes, Menzo said. Even if some of the schools have been plowed out — Sheehan High School and James H. Moran Middle School being a few — Menzo said the un-plowed roads still pose a concern because of bus travel.

As to whether or not school will be in session Tuesday, Menzo said officials are still up in the air on that. Not only are roads not fully clear but some schools are still being dug out — meaning walkways need to be cleared and parking lots need to be plowed.

Menzo said the district is bringing in outside contractors to assist, as well as a pay loader.

“We’re taking it one day at a time,” Menzo said.