CUE/CMS Roof information 3/13

CPS Families and Staff

In response to the open discussion item at the 3/10 public Board of Education meeting, this is an update on the ongoing roof maintenance and assessment efforts across the district, specifically at the CUE/Middle School. Below is a summary of the current work, contractor involvement, and next action steps.  Also included is a link to the 3/11/25 mold assessment and sampling report, conducted by AQC, which did not find evidence of mold. 

Contractor Involvement

Past Roof Contractors (Certified Garland Installers):

• Tichner
• Ostrander
• McDonald

Current Work is Being Conducted By:

• CEI Michigan & Direct Garland Employees

CEI Michigan is scheduled to be on-site at all district buildings during the week of March 17th to address identified roof leak areas as outlined in the March 2025 Garland report.

Middle School Roof Status

• 35-year extended warranty in place through 2036.
• Current roof age: 24 years.
• Roof drains replaced/repaired in 2023/2024: 35.
• Approximate number of remaining roof drains that do not require repair/replacement: 65.

Recent roof leaks have been observed in areas where roof drains were previously repaired or replaced. Based on these patterns, we believe the issue is linked to the flood and gravel coating/waterproof membrane. Testing is currently underway to confirm this assessment.

To ensure a thorough evaluation, the district contracted with Smith Group to conduct an independent roof assessment study at CMS/CUE in 2024. We are actively following the recommended steps from this study and will be scheduling a meeting with Garland representatives as soon as the test results are available this weekend.

Current Actions by Garland Staff

Garland’s direct employees (not subcontractors) have taken the following steps over the MS/CUE office:

• Pushed back the gravel from the roof surface.
• Prepped the membrane.
• Allowed the area to dry out before attempting restoration of the field and wall flashing.

The success of this repair will determine Garland’s approach to addressing leaks in other areas. This action aligns with what the district has been requesting, as it has become evident that the leaks are not solely due to condensation or drain pan issues. Test results will be available this weekend after rainfall or, if necessary, through manual water flooding of the section. Pictures below:

Before                                                                                  After

Additional Testing & Air Quality Assessments

• Air quality tests were conducted at the Middle School in 2016.
• Water saturation/condensation testing and monitoring were performed throughout 2023/2024.
• Initial investigations did not indicate any signs of mold growth. Mold is typically found in flooring after significant saturation but is not commonly present in ceiling tiles (removal of tiles is our practice, regardless) or on steel beams, pipes, etc.
• Air quality testing was completed on March 11, 2025, by a third-party certified air quality consultant at four primary locations throughout CUE/CMS. The link to the formal report is attached in the link below
• 4055 Mold Assessment Report.pdf 

Commitment to Safety

The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and school community remain our highest priority. We will continue to closely monitor roof conditions, implement necessary repairs, and take proactive steps to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment. As always, we are committed to transparency and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Dr. Stewart- CPS Superintendent