A Salt Lake County lawmaker is calling into question an exemption in state law that permits school districts to inspect their own construction and remodeling projects.
Last week, Sen. Mont Evans, R-Riverton, told members of the Legislature's Political Subdivisions Interim Committee that the issue was brought to his attention by constituents affected by the temporary closure of Riverton Elementary School.The Jordan District Board of Education ordered the school closed on Feb. 26 after 18 students were sent to the hospital two days earlier complaining of rashes, respiratory problems, headaches and nausea.
District officials plan to reopen the school once officials determine why staff and students are occasionally sickened by odors in the building and if the problem can be fixed. Tests have not yet pinpointed a cause but the district plans to reconfigure portions of the school's sewer system.
"Ultimately, the question that needs to be answered . . . is not what's in the best interest of the school districts or municipalities but what's in the best interest of the children who reside in the schools?" Evans said.
Jordan District Superintendent Barry Newbold said it makes sense for school districts to employ its own inspectors because of the large number of construction and remodeling jobs it undertakes.
Jordan District is in the process of building eight schools. This summer, the district will undertake 31 remodeling projects in an eight-week period.
Having inspectors available every work day enables contractors to complete their work in a timely manner, Newbold said. Some outside inspectors require 48 hours notice.
Further, Newbold contends that Jordan District's inspectors are licensed by the state and many hold international certification.
Cost is another consideration. A plan review for a new, $33 million high school can cost in the neighborhood of $120,000. A district employee who conducts the same inspections costs the district about $15,000 a year.
"I believe this is a prudent use of public funds," he said.
Newbold noted that universities and the state Division of Facilities Construction and Management observe the same practices.
But Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas, wondered aloud if self-inspection is a matter of the fox watching the hen house.
"You can't tell me a person who is receiving a check from his boss to inspect his bosses work isn't going to step over the line and risk getting fired," Ure said.
Ron Ivie, fire marshal and building inspector for Park City, told lawmakers about a series of problems with a middle school in Park City, including episodes of sick building syndrome, a roof collapse and a disconnected fire sprinkling system.
"The fire sprinklers were disconnected and could not hold water, and the halls in the building were designed as part of the air-circulation system," he said. "If there was a fire, smoke would have filled the halls."
Ivie said the Park City School District has since worked with city building inspectors on capital projects. He questioned Newbold's estimate of inspection costs.
Lawmakers agreed there are concerns with the self-inspection practice, but Rep. Marda Dillree, R-Farmington, recommended that the best course may be to address specific concerns rather than revamping state law to require municipal inspectors to review construction performed on behalf of the state or colleges.
In fairness, problems also surface in construction that passes municipal inspection, she said.
"We will have problems wherever we go because there is a human element involved," she said.
Although the school's woes brought to light the self-inspection practice, legislative staff cautioned that the source of Riverton Elementary problems has not been identified.
Jordan District officials say the school met all building codes when it was constructed. Settling of the ground has caused sewer lines to sag in some areas, Newbold said.
With only Rep. Blake Chard, R-Layton, dissenting, the legislative committee voted to impanel an ad hoc committee to study the issue and make a report later this year. Evans will head the committee.