CSE, a commercial steel erection company, is expected to begin work on the auditorium on Monday, January 10, 2011. The repair is expected to take approximately one week, with an additional week for clean up. The gymnasium will reopen as soon as the steel repair is complete and the auditorium is deemed safe for occupancy.
Two companies were consulted regarding the repair and services were awarded under the emergency procurement provision in the Virginia Public Procurement Act. The provision states that in the case of an emergency, a contract may be awarded without competitive sealed bidding or competitive negotiation. MCPS policy allows the awarding of emergency procurement for services less than $30,000.
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An engineering report on the Auburn High School has shut down its auditorium and gym.
The superintendent said it was part of an ongoing inspection of all school facilities constructed in the 1970's in Montgomery County.
That's the same time period when Blacksburg High School was built. Its gym roof collapsed last February.
The problem at Auburn High School has been pinpointed to the roof of the auditorium, specifically on the East end of the roof trusses.
Engineers are concerned about the welding there and advised the school system to close that area off to students and staff as well as the adjoining gymnasium.
Superintendent Brenda Blackburn said the welds are similar to the ones in the gym roof of Blacksburg High School.
The report states that the main school building is safe, but the area around the auditorium could be in danger in a heavy snowfall.
Blackburn is expecting some more answers, like how to fix the roof and how much it may cost, on Wednesday after additional testing is completed at Auburn High School.
