Morrow County School District developed a Community Bond Advisory Committee composed of community members to develop recommendations for district bond projects.
The CBAC has met monthly since February to review district facility needs, according to a press release from the school disrtrict. Part of their work has focused on Irrigon Jr/Sr High School.
During the summer of 2023, the high school was slated to receive some upgrades to its heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. When the work began, some of the original ceiling and drywall areas that had been covered since the school was built in 1978 were exposed.
Structural deficiencies in the roof-to-wall connection were discovered and brought to the attention of district administration.
Brandi Sweeney, district maintenance coordinator, said the deficiencies were covered by the ceiling tiles from the drop ceiling and there would not have been a way to see the structural deficiencies in the years since the school was built.
“Because of the finished drywall, as in any building that is completed, the deficiencies were not visible,” Sweeney said in the press release. “The district had never been aware of potential structural issues in this school building.”
District staff worked with two structural engineers from Vector Structures, LLC and Pillar Consulting Group Inc., and a local contractor from Rock Enterprises Inc. Their task was to design and install temporary shoring in the building to make it safe for staff and students.
The first phase of the shoring was done during winter break in December 2023 and the second phase was completed during spring break in March 2024.
“We are so appreciative of the dedication of the contractor and his crew,” MCSD Superintendent Matt Combe said in the press release. “Their willingness to work long hours and weekends to complete the necessary work was vital to making the building safe for staff and students without disruption to their education.”
Combe said Morrow County School District spent about $372,000 on the temporary shoring. They want to assure the community that the building is safe, but it is a short-term solution. The district will have the building inspected once a year by a professional structural engineer until a long-term plan is established.
The bond advisory committee is considering next steps for Irrigon Jr/Sr High School.
