Administration has begun planning the repair of concrete spalling, or areas of the concrete that have chipped, underneath and on the school’s second-floor walkways following the clearance of the project’s permitting. 

According to Assistant Principal Catherine Halbuer, the budget is approximately $900,000. Construction that is undisruptive and quiet is expected to take place during school hours, while noisier construction will take place at night. Administration expects the project to be completed by June 2024. 

The second-floor walkways have deteriorated and cracked to the point where water is able to seep through. This rusts the rebar, an iron pipe in the concrete, which in turn weakens the metal, causing the concrete to crack further. This has led to concrete chunks falling out and higher risks of the walkways collapsing, presenting safety issues for both students and staff. 

While one part of the Building 4 walkway has been set with a metal brace for support in recent years, Halbuer explained the need for the school to be repaired simultaneously throughout.

“[The contractor said] if we’re going to do it, let’s do it right and get everything done at once,” Halbuer said. “[If we don’t, people will] be coming in every year to [repair the spalling]. Shouldn’t we do it right the first time?”

The repairs will include the removal of the corrosion on the rebar, application of primers to prevent future corrosion, patching of the cracks in the walkways and installation of new gutters and downspouts. 

Principal Rick Fleming said he has advocated for repairing the spalling.

“After my second or third year here, I started to see the cracks,” Fleming said. “Over the [past] 15 years, I have sent several emails to school safety and security about my concerns about the structural integrity of the building as it related to the spalling. I would get responses periodically that said, ‘OK, we would recognize it’s a safety issue. We don’t have money in the budget right now, but it’s on our list.’ Finally, after all of those years of complaining about it, we’re going to [see some action taken].”

By Kristen Ye