Board Approves Structural Engineering Contract to Assess Buildings

At the end of the 2024–25 school year, Springfield Public Schools (SPS) and other districts insured through Property and Casualty Coverage for Education (PACE) were notified of changes to property insurance coverage for buildings more than 50 years old that use engineered wood trusses (such as bowstring or glue-lam trusses).

Under the revised policy, these trusses are now excluded from coverage unless any damage is caused by a named peril in the policy and there is no evidence of preexisting structural damage, or a licensed structural engineer has inspected and confirmed the trusses are structurally sound within the recommended inspection interval.

Because this has both safety and insurance implications, SPS issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) over the summer to find a structural engineering firm to assess affected buildings. Five firms responded, and the district selected Miller Consulting Engineers. Following the Board approval at the November 10 Business Meeting, District administrators will now work with Miller for the building inspections and assessments.

Springfield is one of the first Districts in the state to embark on this process. The primary goal is to ensure all SPS buildings are safe and remain fully insurable. The engineering evaluations, which are expected to start over the fall and winter breaks, may identify follow-up repair or retrofit work.