The August 2022 project list details HVAC issues at Eisenhower, "compromised masonry" and "leaks" being repaired at Kaleidoscope (former French Academy), "B&G removed dilapidated playground equipment" at Garfield, and various other building-related projects throughout the District.
Buildings & Grounds Director Kent Metzger also wrote "Now that the [Kaleidoscope] building may need to remain viable for many years, a more elaborate secure entry and office reconfiguration plan may need to be considered."
Documents from the Decatur School District detail maintenance requests for both Dennis Lab campuses from 2017-2023, leading up to the closure of both buildings.
These and other documents were obtained through FOIA to investigate the history of these buildings and whether the District was negligent, with regard to their maintenance and closure.
The Purchase Order for Bacon Farmer Workman's inspection of Dennis Lab is dated June 27th, while the inspection was completed May 30th. The contract for work was proposed on March 23rd, and signed by Metzger on March 30th. (Note: A "TEMPORARY/PROPOSED VENDOR" PO for BFW is dated June 14th)
I emailed Communications Officer Denise Swarthout to ask about the delay in creating a Purchase Order, and she has not responded.
A record of Garfield's site-based expenditures from May 30 - August 1, 2023 were obtained, and show $198.25 for packing tape, $186.79 for "REIMBURSEMENT- DEODORANT", $92.22 for paper towels, and a few other expenses.
I previously reviewed the Mosaic maintenance requests and published Decatur's Dennis Lab had 2013 Water Damage Repaired in 2019.
I may review the French/Kaleidoscope maintenance requests and publish a detailed article at a later time.
Issues with the response
The response included PDF files for the digital maintenance requests, even though I explicitly asked for spreadsheets. This would warrant a Request For Review with the Attorney General's Public Access Counselor, but I have obtained spreadsheet copies through a different request, which will be published later.
The documentation returned, related to the last re-roofing project at Kaleidoscope, appears insufficient, so I submitted a Request For Review to the Public Access Counselor in hopes of obtaining a signed contract for work, and any reports from the contractor.
I'm curious about the re-roofing because the BFW Inspection Report details the following:
This same picture does however provide some evidence that this east wall was bowing and leaning outward to some extent at the time of the last re-roofing project because it is evident that the purple roof insulation was cut to the contour of the wall and extends over the adjacent truss.
Request Details
Purpose: To investigate the maintenance history of both Dennis Lab Schools, and to discover additional financial and playground information regarding Garfield Learning Academy.
To: Decatur Public Schools District 61, Melissa Bradford mbradford@dps61.org
Short-Name: 2023-dennis-maintenance
Timeline
- Sent: August 2, 2023
- Extension: August 9, 2023
- Response: August 16, 2023
- Request For Review Sent: October 5th, 2023
Notes
- The Dennis/Mosaic Maintenance Requests were received as four separate PDF files. I combined them and uploaded them as one document. Same for the French/Kaleidoscope requests.
- On August 22nd, 2023, I emailed Melissa Bradford that I requested the maintenance requests as spreadsheets, but received PDFs and intended to file a Request For Review if she did not provide spreadsheets. She did not respond.
Documents
- FOIA Request Email - Email Thread of request/response
- FOIA Response Letter - the PDF Response letter
- Dennis/Mosaic Maintenance Requests - A spreadsheet (pdf copy) of over 800 School Dude digital maintenance requests from 2017-2023 for Dennis Lab's Mosaic Campus. Also see spreadsheet copy
- French/Kaleidoscope Mainteancne Requests - A spreadsheet (pdf copy) of School Dude digital maintenance requests from 2017-2023 for Dennis Lab's Kaleidoscope Campus (formerly French Academy). A spreadsheet copy will be published at a later time.
- Buildings & Grounds Project List - "an abridged description of the projects undertaken by B&G, and a status update on a building-by-building basis"
- Kaleidoscope Re-Roofing Purchase Order - $174,000 approved April 13, 2021. P.O. Issued to TOP QUALITY ROOFING CO
- BFW Inspection Purchase Order - June 27, 2023 PO, for a March 23rd, 2023 agreement. $19,000 PO for inspection of both buildings by BFW Engineering.
- Garfield Site-Based Expenditures - Costs of packing tape, mops, paper towel, and "plumbing supply" from May 31 - July 27th, 2023.
Also See
- Nov 1, 2022 Board Meeting Minutes - Contains a Facilities Update
- Nov 1, 2022 Board Meeting Video - The Facilities Update starts around 18 minutes.
- Email to Swarthout - Asking about the Purchase Order delay
Request
- digital maintenance requests submitted by staff, administration, or others at/for original Dennis/Mosaic from January 1, 2017 through the August 1, 2023. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs). Please exclude photos, except for any requests related to the staircase which is now separating from the building.
- digital maintenance requests submitted by staff, administration, or others at/for original French Academy/Kaleidoscope from January 1, 2017 through August 1, 2023. Please send as a spreadsheet (.csv or .xlxs). Please exclude photos, except for any requests related to the parapet / wall that is now structurally unsound.
- Denise Swarthout detailed to me "The list is referencing projects the B&G department was scheduled to complete this school year, including window and door replacements, playground installation, etc." Please send that list, which is for School year 2022-2023.
- See document & November 1, 2022 Board Meeting, which included a "facilities update"
- I heard that Garfield was on the list to receive a playground for the 22-23 school year. I'd like a copy of that list, if it is not the same list as the above item #3.
- Documentation related to the last re-roofing project at Kaleidoscope (Former French Academy). This should include any contract for work, purchase order, and any report/analyses from the construction/engineering firm.
- The Requisition and the Purchase order for the May 30th BFW inspection of Dennis Schools.
- The Requisition and the Purchase order for the June 1 (or thereabout) Klingner inspection of Dennis Schools.
- No document responsive to this request
- Record of Site-Based Expenditures for Garfield Learning Academy from May 30th, 2023 - August 1, 2023.