KPDSB seeking to address ‘deficiencies’ at SNHS

Tim Brody - Editor

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) is exploring options to address ‘deficiencies’ at Sioux North High School.
At the school board’s regular meeting, held virtually on Oct. 13, Steve Parker, Assistant Manager – Facility Planning & Development, presented trustees with the 2020-21 Capital Projects Report.
Parker’s report states on the subject of Sioux North High School Progress, “Some progress on the current deficiency backlog occurred over this past summer and early fall. Some of the major items rectified included door hardware, fire-proofing corridor separations, ceiling tile replacement throughout, and roof leaks in the original locations. However, new leaks were reported in October 2020 and will be corrected as soon as possible.
“Ongoing planning and coordination is still occurring with attempts to complete the remaining works. There is still an unacceptable amount of significant deficiencies and incomplete work. As a result, the Board is looking at options to complete the work as expeditiously as possible while limiting our financial obligations.”
KPDSB Superintendent of Business Richard Findlay shared with The Bulletin, “The contractor is going to be coming back again in November to address some of the deficiencies. Ongoing planning and coordination is still occurring with attempts to complete the remaining work and address any further deficiencies.”
He stated of the deficiencies identified, “I think it’s significant in the fact that any time you have a $30 million school, it’s not uncommon to have many, many deficiencies because it’s a big build, there’s many different sub-trades involved. It’s not unusual, but the part where we’re not totally happy is just the time it’s taken to address the deficiencies.”
He informed, “We’re still in negotiations with the contractor, they’re ongoing and the board will endeavor to take the most prudent course of action after consulting with our relevant stakeholders and legal counsel. But, like I said, the contractor is coming back in November to try to address the remaining deficiencies, but at the end of the day, the number one priority of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is, and always will be, our students. As such, we work with all our contractors to ensure that ours students have the best possible environment to learn in.”