Avon Schools Take Pro-active Approach to Avoid Roof Collapses

In light of the multitude of roof collapses across the state, including the evacuation of some schools, the Avon schools administration is taking pro-active measures to avoid that happening at district schools as more snow is predicted.

"While those with whom we are consulting maintain that our roofs are safe and can hold additional snow amounts, we’re engaging in this snow monitoring and removal process to make absolutely certain that we are taking every preventative measure to ensure the safety of our children and employees," Jody Goeler, interim superintendent of schools, wrote in a letter to the community. "This weekend our custodial and maintenance staff are continuing to work additional hours to ensure this snow removal work is completed in a timely fashion."

So far, the school district's maintanence workers have cleared snow from Roaring Brook School "where the roof's peaks created 'valleys,' " according to the letter.

Peter Gaski, director of building and grounds for Avon public schools, is working with the Avon building department to evaluate the Avon schools' roofs and identify areas that have high levels of snow buildup.

Gaski has also consulted with an engineering firm and has instructed the district's custodial and maintenance staff to "continually measure accumulations on our building’s rooftops and remove snow when necessary, beginning with the most vulnerable areas," Goeler wrote in the letter.

None of the schools have been evacuated and no severe problems have been identified, but the district continues to monitor the loading on roofs for the safety of the students and staff.

Goeler plans on updating the public about the state of school district roofs.