By HOLLY GASKILL
A series of improvements to Bluffton High School will go to bid this winter. With these projects, the building will likely take on a new look.
Over the last several months, administration from Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan Schools has discussed issues with moisture in the high school, which have led to frequent roof repairs. It was also recently discovered that the construction of the window heads contributed to some of the moisture damage. Superintendent Brad Yates advised the issues have been ongoing for multiple years.
In August, the district formally issued a bond for a renovation project to resolve these issues — namely, the building’s roof. The bond totals $10 million and does not significantly affect the district’s tax rate due to expiring debt.
As with any project, these renovations come with design options. During Monday’s board meeting, Emily Hower of Elevatus Architecture displayed tentative final designs, which include a solid-colored BHS red double-panel facade throughout the front entrance canopy and gymnasium area. The red will be accented by a deep gray color appearing on the canopy pillars and alongside the gymnasium.
The area will also incorporate new signs. At the top of the canopy will read “Bluffton High School” with an indicative ‘B’ logo, which will be backlit at night. On the corner of the gymnasium, large letters will read “Home of the Tigers”, with a large tiger logo on the adjacent wall. The tiger logo will also be backlit at night.
Hower stated that the firm is also exploring designs to replace the brick road sign to match.
Given the nature of the repairs, board member Bruce Murray asked if someone would be on-site to guarantee processes would be followed as expected. Hower confirmed the firm is prioritizing quality assurance, noting the products they plan to use will carry a 10-year warranty, and the paint has a 30-year lifespan.
Also during the meeting, Yates communicated he will soon explore options to replace the high school’s turf football field and the track. Either item, Yates said, has reached its expected lifespan and shows it. These items join a roster of projects the district is still planning, executing, or wrapping up at all three schools.
“Have you ever heard of construction fatigue?” Hower quipped. While met with laughs, board member Bruce Holland also noted, “But this (moisture issue repairs) is a big one we can’t afford not to do.”
The board later accepted a series of donations — $1,000 to the football program for equipment from James and Saundra Wenger, clothing for the elementary school’s nurse’s clinic from Angela Harris, and shoes for the elementary school from Taylor Harris.
holly@news-banner.com
