Plan B for DMS Roof Repair?

With looming deficits on both the school and town side and fear that a $6.4 million bond for school repairs may fail in the spring, Superintendent Phil Auger went before the North Kingstown Town Council to discuss a possible contingency plan to ensure the replacement of a .

In the event that the bond is defeated by voters, Auger asked the council to consider using its nearly $9 million in undesignated funds (commonly labeled as a “rainy day fund) to help replace roof.

“This is a rainy day issue,” said Auger. “This is about a roof that’s leaking like crazy.”

According to reports, the roof repair would cost in the neighborhood of $2 million and $3 million. Auger urged the council to make the necessary steps to ensure the roof can be repaired this summer.

“The longer you wait, the more costly this project will become,” said Jim Grundy, member of the facilities subcommittee, who added that the school department is spending tens of thousands of dollars on temporary repairs to the roof each year.

Members of the Town Council were reluctant to offer a solid commitment that it would utilize its fund balance. According to Town Manager Michael Embury, using those funds would reduce the town’s credit rating.

Instead, council members suggested using approximately $2 million left from a 2004 bond. The council will ask legislation to be drafted that would allow the school department to use those funds for the roof replacement.