Leaks, Security Work Delay Storm Shelter Completion

Air conditioning leaks damaged classroom ceiling tiles, and unfinished security access work delayed the opening of a part of the school district’s new storm shelters, Olney ISD Superintendent Dr. Matt Caffey told trustees Sept. 30.

In 2024, city voters approved $8.35 million in bonds to fund the new storm shelters recommended in a security audit. Work began in early 2025 and is nearly complete. The bonds paid for a storm shelter and seven new classrooms at Olney Junior High School and a secure corridor between the high school and the Career and Technology Education Center, as well as renovations to the elementary school and the existing shelter at the daycare. Work on the project is nearly complete.

Dr. Caffey said condensation from air conditioning equipment entered the new storm shelter wing connecting the junior high and elementary school, causing ceiling tiles to collapse in a couple of classrooms.

The cause had not been determined, he said. The contractor’s HVAC installers were scheduled to return the following day to address the problem.

Trustees questioned how water intended to drain outside the building had reached classrooms.

“Something had to have gone really wrong for it to wind up inside the building,” Dr. Caffey said.

The high school corridor was mostly complete, apart from remaining construction items and installation of badge-access equipment. Dr. Caffey said the district could not receive a certificate of occupancy until that security work was installed.

The work required coordination between Tyner and Texas Fire and Cable, he said.

Trustees also discussed emergency access and severe weather procedures. Dr. Caffey said he had obtained permission to move students through the corridor during a weather emergency, although routine use would wait until it was secured.

Administrators said the existing emergency plan remained in place. A new plan had not been fully developed or drilled.

Trustee Hannah Stewart asked how staff would determine which procedures to follow if severe weather occurred before the new arrangements were ready.

The board also reviewed construction payments and discussed retaining the final 5 percent until the district was satisfied with the work.

Trustee Kelly Mahler asked whether that money could be held long enough to see how the construction performed during heavy rain. Dr. Caffey said he would confirm the applicable timeframe.