, laura@rustonleader.com
08-30-2006
Just a few short hours after the deputy state fire marshal, Lloyd Peters, declared a Ruston Elementary School portable building housing three classrooms as not up to code, the problem was fixed.Ruston Elementary Principal Sonja Walker said the deputy state fire marshal visited the school last week and said the handicap rails on the ramps needed to be extended and the steps widened on the school’s four portable buildings which were relocated behind the playground when renovations began this summer.
“When they moved the buildings, they were worked on, and we thought they were up to speed,” Walker said.
When she received word from the fire marshal last week this was not the case, however, Lincoln Parish Schools Director of Auxiliary Services Charles Owens and his maintenance staff got on the job over the weekend.
“Owens had his people working this weekend, and we thought everything was fine,” Walker said.
“But Monday afternoon we got the other news. The fire marshal said (the classrooms inside one portable building) would not be occupiable (Tuesday) morning, so we moved the students to another classroom.”
On this second visit, Walker said the fire marshal commented the gravel placed at the front of the buildings’ steps could cause students to trip, and additional handrails for the ramps would be needed to bring the temporary buildings up to code.
Consequently, Owens and his crew began work on the buildings again that morning.
At approximately 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Walker said the fire marshal had given the green light, and students were allowed back inside the temporary building formerly ruled not able to be occupied.
Walker said she does not fully understand the reasoning on these codes.
Although the gravel in front of the steps which mandated removal spanned only a few feet, she said a long gravel walkway leading from the main school to the temporary buildings received a thumbs up from the fire marshal.
Walker said the gravel by the steps was initially placed there so that students would not track mud into the classrooms.
“I think it’s going to all work out,” Walker said. “We will probably use fake grass (to replace the gravel by the steps).”
Walker praised the teachers and custodial staff for responding positively as the changes were taking place.
“We know during construction we must be flexible,” she said, “and they have proven to be an exceptional group.”
Seven new classrooms will be added to the school as part of the renovations, making the use of portable buildings unnecessary.
Construction is expected to be finished by Aug. 1, 2007.
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