By Anna Taylor

Unexpected truss repairs to James T. Alton Middle School’s roof have caused some classes to temporarily relocate within the building.

The summer renovation projects — including a new HVAC geothermal system, parking lot repaving, roofing and a security vestibule — totals around $3.3 million.

The art and band rooms at the Vine Grove school are deemed off limits to students as truss repairs are being finished. Band class has been relocated to the media center and art has been in another classroom that was available since the school building is not at capacity.

“As we get additional space back, we’ll put them back after the structural engineer gives us the OK,” said John Stith, Hardin County Schools chief operations officer. “Safety is always our first priority with students.”

A wind event in March blew several shingles off the roof.

“It was the second or third time that that has happened,” Stith said. “A lot of our other buildings have metal roofs, so we wanted to take the insurance money and apply that to putting on a new metal roof and not have to keep reshingling every five to 10 years.”

During the roofing this summer, workers noticed part of one area in the roof was sagging.

“We called a structural engineer to come take a look at that and when they got in there, they noticed some of the classroom partitions were hanging down and were pinned. The truss support for the partition had failed, so that needed to be repaired.”

Those repairs are being completed before the new roof is added, Stith said.

With the truss repairs 75 percent completed, Stith anticipates the blue metal roof to be finished by the end of September.

Built in 1990, the school has been running with the HVAC system that initially was installed in the building. The typical lifespan of an HVAC system for schools are 20 or 25 years, Stith said. The school’s new geothermal system cost about $2.3 million and in the long term will be more cost effective.

“As soon as the kids left, literally the next day, construction crews went in and started tearing everything out,” Stith said.

The parking lot also was repaved and striped over the initial paving that was done when the school was built.

The school also added a new security vestibule guest entrance this summer, left of what is known as the main entrance.

“Most schools now are built to where you have to go through the main office to get in the building,” Stith said. “An adult has to see you come in and you check in with a buzzer-type system.”

Most schools in the district already have built-in vestibules, Stith said. Along with J.T. Alton, New Highland and North Park elementary schools also are adding the extra security measures.

“Back before 9/11 and Columbine and mass shootings, schools weren’t designed like that,” he said. “A lot of schools were designed with an open concept where everybody is kind of free-range. It’s just the changing of the times.”

The vestibules essentially are glass antechambers leading to the main entrance or lobby. Guests are required to enter the secretary’s office or main office to gain access to the building. Once signed in, they are given a visitor’s pass.

Cecilia Valley Ele­mentary School, expected to open during the 2017-18 school year, has vestibule security measures included with the design.