More than $830,000 in damage to seven campuses was the impact Hurricane Harvey had on Hays CISD.
During an Aug. 31 emergency meeting, the Hays CISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a motion to cover $836,120.62 in damages dealt to schools in the district after the storm event.
Four of the district’s elementary schools, Ralph Pfluger, Science Hall, Blanco Vista and Camino Real, accumulated water inside the exterior walls, according to district officials.
Chapa, Simon and McCormick middle schools all had gym floor damage after water seeped under the doors.
The emergency meeting was called for Friday, Aug. 25, in order for the board to properly assess the damage and initiate repairs.
Concerns from board members regarding the damage focused on several factors, including the need for the repairs in the first place, as most of the damaged schools had been constructed fairly recently.
“Most of these campuses are new and water is seeping in through brick and sheetrock,” said Trustee Vanessa Petrea. “I wonder if we’re having the same issue at other campuses.”
According to Hays CISD officials, the architect, engineer and builder were called in order to confirm that the damage had not occurred due to a construction error.
Board members also shared safety concerns for children who suffer from asthma during the repairs, as sheet rock would have to be torn down in order to remove the wet insulation.
Carter Scherff, Hays CISD Chief Operations Officer, confirmed that the only issue people would notice was the absence of sheet rock.
If allowed, the district would file an insurance claim in order to cover the costs of the damage. However, if for some reason the insurance would not cover the repairs, the damage would be covered by the district’s fund balance, which is an individual account.
