Su Valley school: Repair or rebuild?

Sept. 9, 2005

JOEL DAVIDSON\Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - Mat-Su Borough Assembly member Bill Allen objected Tuesday to the idea of fixing the faulty roof at Su Valley Jr./Sr. High School, saying it would be more prudent to look at constructing a whole new school.

"It does not make economic sense to invest $6.4 million into a 33-year-old school that will extend the economic life of that building maybe 10-15 years, when for another $4 million we can have a new school that will have an economic life of 50 years plus," Allen told fellow assembly members during their regular meeting.

The Mat-Su Borough School District received an architectural report last month that revealed structural problems with the school's roof. According to the report, the problematic roof is unsafe if more than 60 inches of snow accumulate.

Allen objected after Borough Manager John Duffy said the borough is moving forward with plans to repair the building.

The assembly member pointed out that for 2012, the school district is proposing a nearly $3.7-million interior renovation project for the Su Valley school. By the time the interior renovation cost is added to the cost of roof repairs, Allen said, the price will be close to that of building a whole new school.

"I am opposed to putting any more money into that school building," he said. "The bottom line is still, let's make a good investment for 50 years instead of making a bad investment for 15 years."

Borough Public Works Director Keith Rountree estimated that the average life expectancy for a properly maintained school building is between 50 and 70 years. The oldest portion of Su Valley was constructed in 1973. Rountree said it's hard to predict how much longer the school will last, but repairs will certainly extend its life.

The proposed repairs include roof structure, exterior siding, windows, upgraded fire alarm and sprinkler systems, new elevator and other miscellaneous upgrades.

"Those will all extend the life," Rountree said.

The borough assembly and Mat-Su School Board are expected to discuss the future of Su Valley, including the most pressing issue of keeping snow off the building during the current school year. A joint borough/ school board meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 13, in the borough assembly chambers.

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266, or joel.davidson@ frontiersman.com.