By Kate Maher Truzzolino, AVP of Corporate Marketing
Summer may bring a welcome pause to the daily hustle of students and staff, but for school districts, the work is far from over. With quieter hallways come shifting priorities like facility maintenance, capital projects, and preparations for the upcoming academic year. Summer also introduces a unique set of risks that can easily go unnoticed until they become costly problems. From mold growth and storm damage to security concerns and contractor oversight, now is the time to stay proactive. Here are five unexpected risks schools face during summer break and how your district can stay one step ahead before students return this fall.
1. Mold and Humidity
With fewer people in the buildings over the summer, it’s tempting to adjust that thermostat to higher limits and humidity to save on costs. But if you adjust it too much, the humidity increase will make mold run rampant. Anything above an internal humidity of 60% risks mold in books, ceilings and classrooms. Work closely with your building managers to ensure you’re striking the perfect balance between dehumidifiers, temperature and the budget.
2. Pests
Unfortunately, empty schools are prime spots for pests. Make sure your custodial staff is ready to conduct a thorough deep cleaning of all lockers, cafeterias and classrooms to get rid of any food debris that could entice bugs and rodents. Then, as summer draws to a close, ask them to do a thorough inspection of the buildings and grounds for mice, ants and wasps that could have tried to take up residence in the downtime.
3. Summer Storm Damage
We call them “summer storms” for a reason. They can strike with very little warning and leave lasting damage. Make sure your team is ready to act quickly after a storm to inspect building envelopes, roof drains, and parking lot catch basins. A clogged drain on a flat school roof can cause catastrophic water damage over a single weekend. Your athletic fields can also take a beating during a storm, so plan ahead.
4. Project and Contractor Oversight
With the students and staff out for the next few months, summer is the perfect time for capital improvements. Between HVAC updates, roof repair, additions or paving, there could be lots of contractors on site at one time. It is crucial to ensure contractors stay in their specific work zones, don’t leave exterior doors propped open overnight, and stay on schedule. Any delay could mean your school isn’t legally or safely ready for students to return in the fall. You should also make sure that you are requesting certificates of insurance from all contractors and evaluating those certificates for proper coverages and limits.
5. Vandalism and Security Risks
An empty school building is also attractive to vandals and trespassers. Without the natural surveillance of students and staff, you must rely much more heavily on your security infrastructure. Ensure your exterior lighting works correctly, the security cameras are working and recording properly without any blind spots and that your grounds crew have clear, unobstructed views of windows and other entrances.
EHD is here to help. Our team is here to help you navigate the risks that come with any time of year. Give your representative or risk control consultant a call to ensure your summer plans are ready for whatever comes your way.
