Reply to Funding for Shepherd's Renovation

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[quote=Anonymous]Can't cry too hard for Shepherd.  Here is Orr Elementary ...

https://www.teachingforchange.org/orr-modernization
http://www.youngedprofessionals.org/yep-dc-recess-blog/has-the-dc-council-forgotten-orr-elementary-school
http://doc.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dgs/service_content/attachments/RFP-for-Design-Build-Services-FY13-Phase-1-Classroom-Modernizations-as-issued-(00124585).PDF

[quote]Orr, with an almost entirely low-income African American student population, is among the last open floor plan schools in the District. Built in 1974, it has never been modernized. But students have had enough of the rodents, leaky ceilings, poor ventilation and lighting, and the constant disruptions to learning caused by the noise of open space classrooms.

It is one of only two schools in the entire DCPS system that has not undergone any phase of modernization since its construction in 1974. As a result, a plethora of issues have plagued Orr for some time now, from building heating and cooling issues, to poor air quality, to pests such as cockroaches and mice. On April 27, a group of Orr students went to testify before the D.C. Council about the issues they face on a daily basis in their learning environment.  Orr Elementary School is located in Ward 8 next to the Anacostia River. Its student population is 97% black, 2% Latino and 1% Asian. All students receive free breakfast and lunch.

Conditions at Orr are reprehensible. Parts of the ceiling are crumbling, the building receives poor natural light due to its triangular shape, the ventilation system is outdated, toilets don’t work, and cockroaches and mice roam the halls. This past winter, the heat in the building was so low that on several days, classes relocated because the temperature in their usual rooms was 50 degrees or lower.

HVAC system was generally observed to be in poor condition. Nearly all equipment is at or past
the end of its useful service life. Diffusers throughout the building are extremely dirty and
should be replaced. Toilet exhaust was rarely observed to be adequate, and in some cases,
was non-existent.

Plumbing system was generally observed to be in poor condition. The building is missing
sprinklers, with the exception of a single sprinkler head in the trash room.

It's an older building and has the original electrical system. In general the electrical
equipment, raceways, wiring, some fixtures, power outlets, fire protection, public address
system, security system, telephone wiring, technology devices and life safety
equipment/devices are in poor condition

There is a ground water entry problem at several locations in the boiler room which is located below
grade. The water appears to be entering through the joints between the floor slab and
foundation wall at the north, east and south walls. The water is entering at such quantities
and such a period of time that the concrete has eroded and washed away exposing the
coarse aggregate.

The roof is generally in good condition with the exception that there is a persistent active leak reported to occur in the Library (space no. 71)
during heavy rain periods.

No fire protection A/V Strobes. All systems were generally observed not to be in compliance
with ADA regulations, with the exception of some water coolers. [/quote]
[/quote]

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