Rainstorms bring more than just autumn weather to Fossil Ridge High School; they have also brought new water leaks. 

When it rains hard, Fossil’s roof can leak in about 30 places. Principal Mark Barry estimates that three new leaks formed after the recent storms. One of the more noticeable events was the hailstorm on Tuesday, Sept. 16, during which water and hail broke a skylight in the art hallway, causing water to cascade into the building. 

“We had to control people from walking through the hallway, and then we had to have them exit through the exterior doors rather than come through the hall, because we didn’t know if something else might collapse,” said Barry. “So in the immediacy when those things are happening, it impacts a lot of folks.”

The broken skylight in the art hallway was perhaps the most visible instance of leaks. But the leaks have also occurred in the gym, damaging the floor over time. In addition, standing water from the leaks can create mold in carpeting in hallways and classrooms. 

“We have people coming out to try to figure out where all these potential weaknesses are and to patch it,” said Barry. “I would like to have a whole new roof, but they’re very expensive and the district doesn’t have that money right now.” 

Barry estimated that the cost to patch the roof leaks will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, not including the cost of repairing damages.

Fossil Ridge High School freshman Liam Clark observed the torrent from the Performing Arts Center (PAC) last month. 

“The hail was coming down very hard,” said Clark. “We heard a crash in the room to our left, and the skylight flooded into the PAC backstage.” 

Except for some minor water damage, no significant wreckage occurred to the theater equipment. 

Steve O’Dell, Fossil’s in-house substitute, notes that he contributed to patching leaks in the recent storms.

“I focused on the east side of the building, where we found leaks mostly coming through the drywall in the odd-numbered east hallway and the front office,” said O’Dell.

The damage from the leaks is difficult to gauge because of the building’s structure. 

“[The severity] is difficult to estimate because a leak coming through the drywall means that the sheet rock has already absorbed a lot of the water, and it isn’t necessarily dripping under the actual leak but more likely dripping at the structure’s lowest point,” said O’Dell. 

Fossil’s roof leaks often during strong rainstorms, Barry said. Leaks are noticeable in the East Wing halls, the roundhouse, and various other areas around the building. 

Barry explains that this problem is recurring and would like to find a solution.

“It’s not new, it’s just getting worse,” said Barry. “It’s somewhat embarrassing as a principal, it’s a beautiful building, and people are noticing what’s wrong with it.”