Scheduled repairs to fix a leaky roof at Oldham School may be put off until the spring, but the school will have some extra space this year after the overhaul of a portable classroom.
Interim school Superintendent John Moretti said several repairs to buildings around the system have been completed over the summer, but work on the Oldham roof will likely have to wait until spring.
Town Meeting approved roughly $175,000 in the fiscal '09 budget to do school projects and repairs.
Buildings and Grounds Director Joe McDonough made the initial request last November when he told the School Committee the front corridor at the Oldham School has been leaking for roughly five years, since the roof was replaced.
Two years ago, the schools got a grant from the town's insurance agency to pay a roofing expert to examine the roof. The consultant determined there was not a simple fix and recommended replacing the leaking section.
Moretti said he's exploring short-term options.
"If there's something we can do on a temporary basis, we'll do it," said Moretti.
On a positive note, Moretti said a portable classroom that had been used as a closet after mold was discovered in the walls of the room two years ago, will be open for students this year.
Although air quality tests in the room showed there was no health danger, school officials opted not to use the space as a classroom last year and instead employed it for storage.
An unexpected influx of new students forced the committee to add teachers and look for more space. The committee subsequently targeted the portable classroom.
The committee received funds from Town Meeting in May to renovate the portable.
School Committee Chairman Paul Samargedlis said he will send a letter of thanks to Town Meeting members for funding the various school projects.
"By putting these things forward, we're only saving money down the road with escalating costs," said Samargedlis.
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.
