Bend-La Pine Schools busy clearing snow from roofs

Maintenance crews continue to work around the clock to clear snow from more than 2 million square feet of roofs across Bend-La Pine Schools, the district said Friday.

More than 100 staff members and local contractors were at school sites Friday, clearing roofs of schools and facilities.

Structural engineers and staff also continue to inspect facilities and roofs throughout the district. As of late Friday afternoon, snow removal was in progress at 13 schools and scheduled at 20 others..

“This concerted effort to clear snow will allow for further roof assessment at all schools and will prepare the facilities for school to resume as soon as possible,” the district statement said.

“Our maintenance crews have been working round-the-clock for weeks to remove snow from roofs and our facilities. While the work is demanding, it is truly a labor of love for our staff,” said Mike Tiller, executive director of facilities for Bend-La Pine Schools. “Our maintenance crews love these facilities and are giving this effort their all.”

One creative Bend-La Pine Schools maintenance staff member used his know-how with metal to create nine roof rakes. Finding roof rakes had been a challenge in town, so Bill Ziegenbein figured out a way to create the devices in house.

Meanwhile, the Sisters School District said Friday it has done a new inspection of schools and they are safe to resume classes next Tuesday, as well as evening and weekend activities.

“This morning we met with a structural engineering firm working on our bond project and again inspected and reviewed structural plans of all of our schools and performed walk-through visual inspections for potential stress points throughout the district,” the announcement said.

“Additionally, we have removed snow from the roof at the elementary school, our oldest school building. Through this work, we have determined that the Sisters schools are safe and school will resume on Tuesday, January 17th.

“Also, all evening and weekend activities that were scheduled in our buildings are on as scheduled. If you have any questions about activities or athletic events, please contact your coach, club advisor, SHS athletic director, or SPRD.”