BELLE — Maries County R-2 officials are seeking an additional bid to replace the Belle High School gym roof after being told continued repairs are no longer a viable option.

Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham told the Board of Education Sept. 29 that the roof had been listed in the district’s facility plan for replacement within the next one to five years, but recent deterioration has moved the project forward.

“We need a new high school gym roof,” Basham said. “It has failed, mostly because it was 100 degrees for so very long, and it’s that plastic and it bubbles and cracks.”

The district has already had the roof repaired several times this school year, but officials have now been told it has reached the point where replacement is necessary.

The roof has also begun affecting school activities. Basham said a recent volleyball game was moved to Bland after water began dripping near the edge of the gym floor. The roof had been repaired earlier that day, but water began coming through during misty conditions.

Basham said the gym remained safe to occupy, but officials determined it was not safe to hold the game because of the location of the leak.

Board members were told portions of the roof had also been repaired approximately eight or nine years ago, including an area on the west side of the gym. That repair has since failed as well.

The district has obtained one proposal for a full roof replacement and is seeking another before returning the matter to the board.

Board members discussed whether the bids should be sealed and opened together because of the anticipated cost. Basham declined to provide a price range during the meeting, but described the project as significant.

Maintenance Director Tony Gieck was present at the meeting to discuss the issue with the board.

“If you look up in the ceiling, it almost looks like ramen noodles,” Gieck said. “That’s the insulation. That’s the roofing board. The bladder has an achor that’s in it.”

Gieck said the rubber roof is meant to expand and contract with heat and cold. However, now the anchors are pulling through, causing the rubber to stretch tight and leak.

A replacement rubber roofing system was among the options discussed. Gieck said a full replacement using that type of system could include a 30-year warranty.

The board also discussed whether work could be completed while school is in session and whether the roof could be replaced before basketball season.

A special board meeting may be called once the second bid is received rather than waiting for the next regular meeting.

Basham said obtaining another proposal could take several weeks and that the district does not want to rush the bidding process simply to meet a meeting date.

Until the roof is replaced, portions of the gym may need to be blocked off when leaks occur. Officials said games cannot safely be held when water is entering near the court.