Due to structural issues located in its North Gym, Coal City Intermediate School is closed until further notice. Students and staff are being relocated to Coal City Elementary School.
The decision to close the school building housing fourth and fifth grades was made out of an over abundance of caution and after conferring with the Regional Office of Education, structural engineers and architects from two different firms.
The structural issues involve damaged trusses in the gym’s barrel roof and a resulting lateral crack in the north wall.
The district has been monitoring the damage since it was first reported and architects and structural engineers from two different firms were brought on-site to survey and inspect the visible damage. Temporary measures were taken to secure the wall, however it continued to show signs of additional damage. On Oct. 22 the gym, adjacent classrooms and offices were closed. Architects and structural engineers from a design build contractor were called to further investigate and it was determined that the weight bearing truss on the north side of the gym was split and had pushed down on the wall. Upon further investigation of the roofing system a second truss had visible signs of stress cracks. It was at this time the decision was made to close the school.
During a special meeting of the Board of Education on Wednesday, members took action to retain the services of Performance Services, a design build performance contractor, to move forward with measures to stabilize the gym roof and north wall, and provide the Board with long-term options for the building. The cost of the services is estimated at $25,000 to $35,000.
Jason Smith, the district's chief business official, reported the plan is to install “deadmen” on the outside of the north gym wall to keep it from moving any further and install floor to ceiling wood piers inside the gym to bear the weight of the trusses. This will require the gym floor and bleachers to be removed.
“This work is only intended to stabilize the space and that will give the Board time to make decisions on what kind of solution we want to move forward with,” Smith said.
The work to stabilize the building is initially estimated at $150,000 to $200,000.
During the meeting, the Board also took action to approve an emergency health and life safety resolution that allows the district to utilize health and life safety funds to help cover the costs.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 4, Intermediate School students and staff will report to Coal City Elementary School. At this time, classrooms on the north side of the elementary building and other areas are being prepared to welcome the fourth and fifth grade classes.
A capacity survey conducted on the district’s school buildings determined the elementary school has adequate space to house the additional students.
“Will it be tight, absolutely. Is it going to be ideal, no, but it is what we have to do to protect those kids,” said Ken P. Miller, Board of Education president.
“Having a safe place to learn is our priority and we believe that this is the best option for our students and staff. The closure is until further notice and we do believe that will extend through the current school year,” Superintendent Chris Spencer said.
Classes for fourth and fifth grade students are canceled for Friday, Nov. 1. All other students will be in attendance as scheduled.