The Selma City School Board of Education heard a facilities assessment report from Lathan Associates Architects.

The architectural group presented an assessment of Byrd First Class Learning Center and the School of Discovery, and both schools had problems.

“Byrd Elementary School appears to have been originally constructed in 1919 of wood framing with veneer, and plaster walls and ceilings,” according to the assessment. “Subsequent additions appear to have been constructed with a mix of load-bearing masonry, studs, wood and steel roof trusses, and acoustical lay-in ceilings. The building is approximately 37,000 square feet including the unoccupied wing.

“In general, the original building has limited Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access and outdated electrical and mechanical systems,” the assessment states. “There appears to be major structural concerns with the original 1919 building in particularly the floor framing systems, as well as roof leaks and environmental issues. The later additions, though appearing to be of good structural condition, have limited ADA compliance, roof leaks and environmental issues, especially in the unoccupied wing. The school does not have an activities gym or adequate site circulation or parking.”

The assessment states to bring Byrd Elementary to current day operational and code standards, a complete renovation is needed at an estimated cost of approximately $115 per square foot or $4,255,000. This does not include fees, environmental studies, geotechnical investigations, special inspections or the addition of gymnasium and parking.

The biggest issue of Byrd, the hall flooring, would alone cost an estimated $1 million to repair.

“The School of Discovery, a multi-story building, appears to have been originally constructed in 1924 of wood and concrete floor framing with masonry veneer and plaster walls and ceilings with wood rafter and steel joist,” according to the assessment. “Subsequent additions appear to have been constructed with a mix of load bearing masonry, studs, wood and steel roof trusses, pre-engineered building systems and acoustical lay-in ceilings. The building is approximately 58,119 square feet.

“In general, the original building has limited to no ADA access, in particular no means of vertical access to the upper and lower floors, and outdated electrical and mechanical systems. The structural condition of the building is fair except for the age,” the assessment states. “There is some age-related issues such as creep and deflection in the floor system. Most of the floor deflections would be considered structurally acceptable, however, it should be noted that the floor framing could not be observed in most areas due to installed finishes. There is one area of major structural concern at the main entrance and the reception area. The depression in the floor in this area is excessive and the amount of the deflection in the floor would be representative of a structural deficiency in need of repair.

“The floor in this area appears to be concrete in the corridor and wood construction under the reception area,” the report continues. “An opening was observed below this area that was placed through a load bearing wall for duct work and the opening appears to be under a concrete girder. On the second floor, above the main entrance corridor, the floor is sagging excessively. The framing could not be observed in this area but a structural deficiency is anticipated. In some of the second-floor classrooms, the demising walls are cracked where it is anticipated that the floor beams have deflected over time causing the walls to crack. There is evidence of roof leaks and environmental concerns.

“To bring the School of Discovery to current day operational and code standards, a complete renovation is needed at an estimated cost of approximately $115 per square foot or $6,683,685. This does not include fees, environmental studies, geotechnical investigations or special inspections.”

Selma City School Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams said that these reports yielded two scenarios for the school consolidation project that is still in the works.

Williams has not made a formal recommendation to the board, but hopes to make one in December.

This consolidation project has been in the works this year talking about utilizing school space, and closing certain schools in the district.

One scenario would be to close both the School of Discovery, Byrd First Class Early Learning Center and Cedar Park Elementary.

In the 2019-2020 school year, the Pre-K centers would be located at Edgewood and Meadowview Elementary Schools.

In the 2020-2021 school year, S.P. Kingston Elementary would be consolidated with Clark Elementary and School of Discovery would be relocated to Kingston yielding a rename to the S.P. Kingston School of Discovery.

The second scenario has the same three schools closing.

In the 2019-2020 school year, the Pre-K centers would be located at Edgewood and Meadowview Elementary Schools and Cedar Park would be consolidated to Edgewood Elementary.

In the 2020-2021 school year, School of Discovery would close and R.B. Hudson Middle School would be reconfigured to accommodate grades sixth through eighth.

No decisions were made at the work session.