Call to order

Meeting was called to order and a quorum ascertained at 7:03 p.m.

Facilities Report

Emergency Board Meeting on Plumbing Issues

The board convened for an emergency meeting to address ongoing plumbing issues at the school. Dr. Bostic provided a facilities update, outlining the extent of the plumbing problems, which were more severe than initially anticipated. Several bathrooms were reported as non-functional, prompting immediate action. The board reviewed the current status of repairs and discussed necessary next steps, including the involvement of professional plumbers.

Plumbing Issues at the School

Mr. Dennis provided a detailed account of the plumbing concerns, including backups in the kindergarten hallway and teacher’s lounge bathrooms, as well as flush valve malfunctions in multiple restrooms. He confirmed that a plumber was scheduled to arrive after 6:30 p.m. to address immediate issues, with Delta Plumbing scheduled to perform a line cleanout in the morning. Mr. Dennis noted that repairs were delayed due to the difficulty in sourcing parts for the older building’s infrastructure. Despite these challenges, all bathrooms remained accessible, ensuring kindergarten students had functional restrooms. He also clarified that while the aging piping was flagged as a concern, the flush valves were not included in this assessment. Mr. Dennis committed to providing a follow-up report on repair progress the next day.

Facility Issues and Safety Concerns

Mr. Dennis emphasized the urgency of addressing facility and safety concerns. He requested additional board support, particularly in allowing special meetings for emergency situations. Ms. Robinson clarified that Mr. Dennis sought both immediate assistance for critical issues and an expedited approval process for safety-related concerns. Additionally, Mr. Dennis reported the necessity of a chemical flush for the water tower, a routine maintenance procedure estimated to cost approximately $11,000.

Bathroom Plumbing Issues and Locks

Mr. Dennis explained that the K-2 and teacher’s lounge bathrooms were initially designated for closure due to the required line cleanout. Signs were posted, and the bathrooms were meant to be locked; however, it was possible that someone disregarded the notices. Mr. Brown confirmed that the K-2 bathrooms remained locked throughout the day and that he personally secured the middle school bathroom after consulting with Mr. Dennis. Delta Plumbing was expected to complete the cleanout the following morning. While principals raised concerns about the temporary inconvenience, Wayne reassured them that the bathrooms would be operational by the next day.

Bathroom Availability and Maintenance Issues

The principals confirmed that the K-2 hallway, teacher’s lounge, and middle school boys’ bathrooms were unavailable, whereas the 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade restrooms remained accessible. During a walkthrough with Ms. Young, they observed unflushed waste in some of the available bathrooms. Mr. Brown attributed this to overuse due to limited restroom availability. A teacher reported an inability to use any stalls in the 5th-grade bathroom, highlighting the need for improved restroom management and maintenance.

Plumbing Issues at School Discussed

The team reiterated the urgency of resolving the plumbing problems, emphasizing the unsanitary conditions in some restrooms. They agreed that non-functional bathrooms should remain locked and that a structured plan should be developed to prevent recurrence. Mr. Dennis committed to being on campus in the morning to enforce bathroom closures and communicate with staff. Additionally, custodial staff would conduct hourly restroom checks and flush toilets to mitigate sanitation concerns. Ensuring student and staff safety remained the team’s top priority.

Next Steps:

• Mr. Dennis to be on campus in the morning to verify that all affected bathrooms remain locked.
• Mr. Dennis to send an email reminding teachers of which bathrooms are off-limits and which are available.
• Custodial staff to perform hourly restroom checks in the K-2 and middle school areas until repairs are completed.
• Custodial staff to flush toilets as part of their cleaning routine.
• Delta Plumbing to conduct a line cleanout, prioritizing the kindergarten hallway bathrooms.
• Plumber to replace flush valves, focusing on the kindergarten hallway, kindergarten bathroom, and teacher’s lounge restroom.
• Mr. Dennis to provide a progress update to the Board.
• Principals to ensure restricted bathrooms remain inaccessible to students and staff.

Mr. Dennis to clarify in his staff email that teachers may use the media center bathrooms, nurse’s restroom, and one stall in the teacher’s lounge.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:04 p.m.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:04 pm