Neligh-Oakdale School Board Responds To Fire Marshal

The Neligh-Oakdale School Board has sent a letter to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, detailing its plan to correct the school's deficiencies.

According to a press release from the school, plan was approved by the school board on Monday. The fire marshal will be in contact with the district on how to proceed with the improvements.

"This proposed plan may be amended as the district works with the State Fire Marshal's office," the release states. "To meet order requirements by the State Fire Marshal's office, the proposed plan submitted by the Board of Education includes installing a fire sprinkler system, fire doors, a new HVAC system, among other improvements."

Click here to read the entire document.

The items required by order of the State Fire Marshal's office exceed the funds the district currently has available, according to the press release.

"As is stated in the proposed plan of correction to the State Fire Marshal, Neligh-Oakdale Public Schools plans to propose to the voters of the district a bond issue in order to have enough funds to meet the orders by the State Fire Marshal's office," it states.

No formal action has been taken by the Board of Education on a bond, and what the bond will include has not been determined at this time. 

According to the release, "No recommendation has been given by the Building and Grounds Committee on bond details, nor has the Board of Education voted on a bond issue. The Building and Grounds Committee is working with an architect on specifications and updated costs, as well as waiting for communication from the State Fire Marshal's office."

The press release states that the community has been "very involved in this process since meetings began in January 2012, and the Board of Education thanks the stakeholders for their valuable input as the district faces facility challenges." 

A correction plan was required after deficiencies were discovered April 30 during a fire and life safety inspection by Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Sean Lindgren. He conducted the investigation when a parent voiced concerns about code violations at the school building, located at 600 J St.

Lindgren sent a correction order on May 8, outlining 16 areas of deficiency. The notification also requested a plan of correction by June 16 with completion dates.

The order lists deficiencies such as lack of a fire barrier separation for the stairways and hazardous areas; lack of proper rescue windows in classrooms where required; inadequate automatic fire alarm devices; improper electrical wiring uses and lack of mean of egress signage and emergency lighting. He said some of the issues will need to be corrected prior to the start of the 2014-15 school year.

Lindgren stated that he knew the superintendent and school board were "aware of many of these items that need corrected and have been working toward this plan."

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