Future Repairs Needed at McMurray Elementary

Peters Township School Board officials will have to decide in the coming months how best to solve problems of buckling floors in .

The president of the company retained to do test borings at the school, reported to the board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee Monday night, that pyrite is to blame for the problems being encountered at the building. He offered two possible solutions to correcting the problem.

Dr. Javaid Alvi of GeoMechanics, retained last November to conduct the tests, told board members that the school's floor has shifted by about three inches since its opening in 1993. Renovation of the building took place in 2003.

Administrators and staff noticed buckling of some floors and offices last year, and retained GeoMechanics to conduct the test borings to determine the source of the problem. The borings took place in restroom and faculty areas, as well as offices. Areas recommended for repair are those, as well as the gymnasium and stairwells.

“It is an extensive area that is affected,” said Superintendent Dr. Nina Zetty.

One option proposed by Alvi would be to excavate the material in the areas affected and replace it with another inert material that is not subject to any chemical reaction. Another option would to be to install a structural slab under the flooring with a crawl space that includes reinforcements.

There is no estimated price tag for cost of repairs, but architect Greer Hayden of HHSDR, who is developing plans for renovation of the high school, told board members that a similar pyrite problem was corrected last year at Ringgold High School at a cost of approximately $5 million.

Alvi could not be certain how long the building could go without repairing the pyrite problem but noted that it is likely to worsen over time. He said there are no structural problems to the building and thus far only the floor buckling has been the problem.

There is no timetable for repair of the school. Ultimately, the board indicated they would like to see the problems corrected during summer recess. Hayden estimated the repairs would need to take place over an extended summer with an earlier recess in the summer and a delayed opening in the fall.

Buildings and Grounds Committee chairman Lori Cuervo said the board will take a close look at the recommendations and “take the time to decide what to do.”

Board member Dr. Mark Buzzato added that the board will need to “pursue the issue to the extent that it needs to be pursued.”

The committee will take Alvi’s report to the entire board for discussion and action.

The Buildings and Grounds Committee also got an update from Hayden on planning that is being done with the proposed renovation of the high school building. Hayden showed drawings for areas around the new auditorium and fine arts area, noting that attention is also being paid to making the school more “green.”

Dr. Zetty noted that staff input from those who would be utilizing the area has been sought, and has been given to architects to consider as part of the design. She also said students have also been active in making recommendations for the renovation.

The high school renovation is still is in the planning stages and could be as many as five years away, according to Zetty.

In another matter pertaining to the high school, Hayden told the committee that bids for the roofing project are due by March 11, and that they will be in the board’s hands for the March meeting.

Work would begin on June 13 and would continue over the summer. Completion is expected by Sept. 30.