T-L Photos/SHELLEY HANSON ABOVE: WORKERS WITH Mansuetto Roofing of Martins Ferry work to replace the roof on the high/middle school building.

MARTINS FERRY — A $7 million project to replace the roofs on Martins Ferry City Schools’ buildings is underway.

In a letter addressed to parents of children who attend Ayers Elementary School, Principal Nick Stankovich noted the work is starting first at the high/middle school building.

“Here at Ayers Elementary, the majority of the work will be completed after school is out for the summer,” he said. “Any work that starts before summer should be limited to the gymnasium with a minimal effect on day-to-day operations.”

Stankovich noted there is a possibility that some work would still be occurring when students return for class in the fall.

“Any disruptions to daily operations will be addressed at that time,” he said, that adding parents could call him with any questions or concerns. The elementary school can be reached at 740-633-3754.

Back in February, the Martins Ferry City Schools Board of Education approved a $7 million bid to replace the roofs on both of the school buildings. Board members Brian McFarland, Dorothy Powell, Scott Ballint and Bill Suto unanimously approved the bid from Mansuetto Roofing and Sheet Metal of Martins Ferry. The $7,075,800 bid was recommended for approval by a consulting company, Mays.

Mays was hired to determine which company would do not only the least expensive work, but also the best work. Others bidders included Kelley Brothers at $7,639,000; RAME at $6,450,000; and Kalkreuth at $7,156,300.

The new roofs are expected to last 20 years and will be made of a PVC-based material.

It was noted at the time of the vote that Mays was hired to determine which company would be the best bidder for the project instead of the board just choosing the lowest bidder.

The board also noted previously it had hired a law firm, Bricker and Eckler of Columbus, to investigate who is at fault for the current roofs’ failures. The firm is tasked with trying to determine if it was the fault of the designers/engineers, the roofing companies, subcontractors or manufacturers of the shingles and materials used.

The roofs being replaced are original to the buildings, which were constructed about 11 years ago. Leaks started occurring soon after they were built. The district has had to patch areas, but the leaks have continued to worsen.

The board noted previously that the Ohio School Facilities Commission was a major player in the decision about who to hire for the original construction project since it covered 75 percent of the cost of the new schools. This is one reason why Mays Consulting was hired to make sure the district did its due diligence in hiring a roofing company.

They also noted when the board of education approved the companies working to construct the new buildings 11 years ago, there were strict guidelines put in place by the Ohio School Facilities Commission.