Tippy Valley Discovers Problem With Fire Alarm
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
AKRON - The Tippecanoe Valley High School fire alarm system "completely" failed during a recent test, Tippecanoe Valley High School Maintenance Director Larry Sanders told the school board Monday.
The board wanted more comparative bids and quotes for fixing the system and replacing it. Then the board will decide the next step.
Starting today, the fire marshal is requiring a certified fireman to be present any time the school is in use, Sanders said.
Sanders gave a $50,000 figure to replace the current alarm system. The new system would be capable of identifying the exact location of a fire, he said. It also would be an audio and visual alarm system.
Sanders estimated $29,000 to repair the current system.
The alarm system has only audible alarms and, Sanders said, some people complain that it isn't heard throughout the building.
That system meets the 1973 fire code, Sanders said. There are few smoke detectors in the building.
He urged investing in a new system. Replacing means meeting new codes, which may cost more.
Superintendent Dr. Karen S. Boling supported buying the new system.
"I hate to see us fix something and find out we still don't have smoke detectors," she said.
Board president Tom G. Weaver said he was skeptical of repairs.
The extra time needed to install the new system is a drawback from repairing it. Repairs could be finished during the holiday break.
In another matter, Tippecanoe Valley sophomores improved on the Graduation Qualifying Exam over last year, Boling said.
Among sophomores, 66 percent passed both sections.
The students passing the English and language arts section jumped to 76 percent, up from 69 percent in 2001.
In the math section, 77 percent of students passed. In 2001, 67 percent passed that section.
Also, the board voted to take advantage of low interest rates and construction costs and move forward with high school additions.
All board members were wary of the move and slow to venture a decision to go ahead.
The board will decide on architectural firms based on bids.
High school principal Michael Overmeyer said he was embarrassed to say that teachers were sharing a former janitorial closet for office space.
The project's main goals are adding classrooms and updating the media center. The cost is estimated at $5.8 million.
The Tippecanoe Valley School Board members are president Tom Weaver, vice president Hal L. Hoffman, secretary Mark Wise, David O'Brien and Rod Eaton. Superintendent is Dr. Karen S. Boling. [[In-content Ad]]
AKRON - The Tippecanoe Valley High School fire alarm system "completely" failed during a recent test, Tippecanoe Valley High School Maintenance Director Larry Sanders told the school board Monday.
The board wanted more comparative bids and quotes for fixing the system and replacing it. Then the board will decide the next step.
Starting today, the fire marshal is requiring a certified fireman to be present any time the school is in use, Sanders said.
Sanders gave a $50,000 figure to replace the current alarm system. The new system would be capable of identifying the exact location of a fire, he said. It also would be an audio and visual alarm system.
Sanders estimated $29,000 to repair the current system.
The alarm system has only audible alarms and, Sanders said, some people complain that it isn't heard throughout the building.
That system meets the 1973 fire code, Sanders said. There are few smoke detectors in the building.
He urged investing in a new system. Replacing means meeting new codes, which may cost more.
Superintendent Dr. Karen S. Boling supported buying the new system.
"I hate to see us fix something and find out we still don't have smoke detectors," she said.
Board president Tom G. Weaver said he was skeptical of repairs.
The extra time needed to install the new system is a drawback from repairing it. Repairs could be finished during the holiday break.
In another matter, Tippecanoe Valley sophomores improved on the Graduation Qualifying Exam over last year, Boling said.
Among sophomores, 66 percent passed both sections.
The students passing the English and language arts section jumped to 76 percent, up from 69 percent in 2001.
In the math section, 77 percent of students passed. In 2001, 67 percent passed that section.
Also, the board voted to take advantage of low interest rates and construction costs and move forward with high school additions.
All board members were wary of the move and slow to venture a decision to go ahead.
The board will decide on architectural firms based on bids.
High school principal Michael Overmeyer said he was embarrassed to say that teachers were sharing a former janitorial closet for office space.
The project's main goals are adding classrooms and updating the media center. The cost is estimated at $5.8 million.
The Tippecanoe Valley School Board members are president Tom Weaver, vice president Hal L. Hoffman, secretary Mark Wise, David O'Brien and Rod Eaton. Superintendent is Dr. Karen S. Boling. [[In-content Ad]]