Safety sprinklers dealyed for 2 area schools

School officials and the local fire marshal agreed in July that adding sprinklers to Bonita Middle and Spring Creek Elementary would satisfy fire safety requirements. Interior walls at both facilities are not fire-rated, which means they are not guaranteed to stop the spread of fire. Both schools already have received new fire alarms.

Representatives from Fire Prevention Specialists Inc. recommended the Lee County School District add sprinklers in lieu of major renovations so both schools could correct serious fire code violations. Bonita Springs Fire Marshal David Davenport had threatened to shut down Bonita Middle and Spring Creek if the district didn't take action.

The district opted not to tear down and replace all interior walls, instead adding an overhead sprinkler system. Sprinklers are a less time-consuming and less expensive alternative, costing $1.3 million versus $4.5 million for new walls.

Bonita Middle building supervisor John Weeks said contractors have scouted out the facility and formulated a construction plan that would begin around the end of January. Crews will seal off one four-classroom pod at a time, relocating students and teachers in four portable classrooms for about three weeks while new sprinklers are installed.

Once a pod is completed, workers will relocate another set of classrooms until they work their way through the entire building. Noise would be kept to a minimum during the school day.

"They'll have one team working during the night, and another here during the day," Weeks said.

The project also includes a new ceiling and overhead lighting for both Bonita Middle and Spring Creek. Karen Leonardi, Spring Creek's principal, said she has not heard when her school's project will start, but expects work to begin soon.

Bonita Middle was host to a minor construction project over the summer as well, with most carpeting removed in favor of floor tile. Spring Creek also has seen its share of hard hats during the past two years as the district tried to fix that facility's indoor air quality problems.

Both buildings are more than 20 years old and were built according to fire safety standards in place then. Other Lee County schools also are scheduled for new sprinkler systems in the coming year.

Contact Staff Writer Dave Breitenstein at 213-6033 or debreitenstein@naplesnews.com