Roseburg Schools Invests $1.08 Million in Summer Facility Improvements

ROSEBURG, Ore. - While students were away from classrooms this summer, maintenance crews and local contractors were busy completing approximately $1.08 million in facility improvements across Roseburg Schools.

The work ranged from new roofs and HVAC equipment to flooring, playground improvements and asbestos abatement. The district said the projects are intended to address immediate needs and extend the useful life of buildings while longer-term decisions about its aging facilities continue.

Roseburg Schools' buildings are about 77 years old on average, making ongoing maintenance an increasingly important part of keeping the district's schools safe and operational.

Major school renovations and construction of new buildings are generally funded through voter-approved bonds. Without bond funding, the district said it relies on grants and General Fund dollars for facility work. Those General Fund dollars also pay for the district's day-to-day operations.

Work Completed Across the District

Several schools received significant work over the summer.

At Winchester Elementary School, projects included asbestos abatement and new flooring in three classrooms, along with new HVAC units in three classrooms and two offices. Hazard trees were also removed.

At Fullerton IV Elementary School, asbestos abatement was completed in five classrooms and polished concrete flooring was installed.

Other projects included:

• Melrose Elementary School: New roofs on the kindergarten and main buildings.
• Sunnyslope Elementary School: New wood-chip fall protection at the north playground.
• Roseburg High School: New flooring in six restrooms, new entrance mats, HVAC control upgrades in the Student Center, a gym access-control system and privacy changing and showering stations in both locker rooms.
• Joseph Lane Middle School: Replacement of media center siding, exterior painting of the main building, field drainage work and hazard clearing.
• Fremont Middle School: Roof cleaning and moss removal intended to extend the life of the roof.
• Central Office facilities: New roofs on the Central Office, warehouse and Student Services buildings. A warehouse dock overhang was also removed and is expected to be replaced.

The district said required asbestos-management procedures are followed, including regular inspections and safe removal.

Additional Projects Planned

More work is already planned at some campuses.

Joseph Lane Middle School is expected to receive new athletic complex fencing, an additional paved play area and a replacement path to the athletic field. An additional paved play area is also planned at Fremont Middle School.

Eastwood Elementary received a separate campus-wide LED lighting upgrade valued at approximately $50,000. That project was funded through the Energy Trust of Oregon.

Planning for Aging Schools

The summer projects come as Roseburg Schools continues looking at the longer-term future of its facilities.

The district's Community Facilities Advisory Committee spent the previous school year studying school facilities and long-term needs. According to the district, recommendations from the committee are now helping guide decisions about how Roseburg Schools can best use its buildings and resources in the years ahead.

For now, the district said the summer work is focused on maintaining the buildings it already has and addressing immediate needs while planning for larger investments that aging schools will eventually require.

More information about the district and its facilities is available through Roseburg Schools.