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Leaky roof means torrent inside Rogue River High By VICKI GUARINO ROGUE RIVER -- When it rained on top of accumulated snow late last week, it poured on computers, books and carpets at the high school. Quick action by staff and students saved thousands of dollars in losses, but district officials still are assessing the damage from sudden leaks across the roof at Rogue River High School. "There was quite an effort to keep the instructional program going," Rogue River schools Superintendent Charles Hellman said Tuesday. Strategically placed trash cans and buckets limited carpet damage, covers shielded many computers, and books and papers were shuttled into dry corners when the rain started pouring in Thursday afternoon. "It was like a waterfall at one point," said high school assistant librarian Terrii McDonald. "We scrambled. We did move a lot of books." With the help of students, McDonald found shelter for almost all of the library's books and covers for all seven library computers. Before she left Thursday afternoon, she had set out about a dozen buckets to catch the rain. When she returned Friday morning, she said, the custodian had set out several more. In all, 10 books are damaged beyond repair. Elsewhere in the school, said Hellman, a few computers were doused, and carpets and other equipment were soaked. The music and art rooms, along with several classrooms, weathered the brunt of the storm. Hellman said losses are still being tallied. Meanwhile, school staff members are keeping an eye on the weather and hoping new patches hold on the building's 16-year-old roof. A dozen roofers spent the weekend making the repairs. "So far, it seems to be holding up," Hellman said. "We'll see how it fares in the next big storm." Contractors told Hellman that the combination of snow followed by rain led to the leaks. Rains slowly melted the snow pack on the flat roof. Water pooled beneath the snow instead of draining off. Below, inside the school, the deluge began suddenly and in torrents. The leaks sprang open as Rogue River district officials worried about the roof on the middle school. Although that roof held tight in last week's storm, contractors have warned that it has deteriorated to a point where it can't be fixed effectively. For several months, Rogue River School Board members have been discussing that problem and building repair and renovation needs at other district schools. Talks could lead to a bond measure in November ballot. Two previous construction bond measures were rejected by voters in 1997 and 1998. At their meeting next Wednesday, board members plan to tour Evans Valley Elementary School and review construction needs in that building. The high school roof hasn't been on the bond-discussion agenda, said Hellman. The roof has a 20-year warranty, but at this point in the contract, the district bears considerable expense in making repairs. "The roof now certainly is part of the discussion the board has been having about renewing the bond effort," Hellman said. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA