Trending...
- NaturismRE, ANF, and GNA Stand United for Naturist Rights in Australia – A Call for Global Support
- Colorado Springs Fire Department to hold quarterly blood drives
- WonderDays: The Startup Disrupting the UK Gifting Industry
Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Fire Marshal Brett Lacey and Colorado Springs School District 11 have agreed to relocate all Jenkins Middle School students, teachers, and staff to alternate sites following the close of school on Friday, January 17, 2025. This relocation is due to fire safety and structural concerns within the building. The building will remain closed until fire protection and structural deficiencies are mitigated and resolved.
CSFD and Colorado Springs School District 11 have been closely monitoring the building structure and fire protection systems at Jenkins Middle School for the past few years. The building has experienced cracking and physical separation of walls and floors, which have progressively worsened, creating openings and penetrations into different fire areas, fire doors, and exit corridors. Working in partnership with CSFD and responding to annual inspections, the district has made diligent efforts to minimize and remediate these issues; however, the building has continued to shift, causing previous repairs to fail. This movement has compromised fire protection systems in ways that do not meet the International Fire Code and have rendered the building unsafe for occupation.
During the annual fire inspection conducted by CSFD on December 18, 2024, it was determined that the building's condition had reached a critical point requiring immediate attention. In response, CSFD notified the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), which oversees public school building standards statewide. On December 23, CSFD formally requested that the district engage a fire protection and structural engineering firm to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the building's systems.
More on Colorado Desk
Since that time, the district has been working closely with Jensen Hughes, a highly regarded engineering firm, to assess the building and gather the most accurate and detailed information on its condition. Their evaluation, which is ongoing, has already identified significant concerns that require additional time for thorough analysis. Based on these findings, and after further consultation with the Fire Department this morning, it was determined that in the interest of everyone's safety, the building should be evacuated while we continue to address these critical issues.
Prioritizing Student Education and Facility Investment
While the Jenkins building will temporarily close, education for Jenkins Middle School students will continue uninterrupted. District 11 is committed to minimizing disruption to learning during this transition. Students will be relocated to another District 11 school building. Each grade level will remain together to ensure continuity in relationships and instruction. Teachers will travel with their students to the new locations.
"We understand that this decision is disruptive and challenging for families, students, and staff," said Superintendent Gaal, Colorado Springs School District 11. "However, safety and education remain our highest priorities. The district has identified a pathway to allocate the necessary capital funds to this project immediately and intends to do everything possible to prioritize these repairs and upgrades so that the Jenkins community can return to their building as swiftly as is safe."
District 11 will share additional details with families, including specific relocation plans, schedules, transportation, and support services, as soon as possible. A community meeting will be held at Doherty High School on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6 p.m., where representatives from the district, CSFD, DFPC, and Jenkins Middle School leadership will be available to answer questions, provide updates, and hear feedback. Additional community meetings will be held on Thursday, January 16th and Wednesday, January 22nd also at Doherty High School.
More on Colorado Desk
CSFD and District 11 remain united in addressing these challenges collaboratively and transparently to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the Jenkins community.
View the original letter of unsafe conditions CSFD sent the district on December 23 and the notice of evacuation sent on January 13.
Timeline:
December 18: CSFD performed annual inspection. CSFD school inspector notified Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshal of structural and fire protection concerns with the building. CSFD notified Division of Fire Prevention and Control of the concerns. Jenkins Operational Staff was notified in person of the concerns.
December 19: Division of Fire Prevention and Control completed a walk through of the building with CSFD staff. CSFD notified Pikes Peak Regional Building Department of specific concerns.
December 23: CSFD sent a letter to District 11 formally requesting the district engage a fire protection and structural engineering firm to conduct an evaluation of the building's systems.
December 31: The Division of Fire Prevention and Control requested Pikes Peak Regional Building Department to conduct a structural assessment of Jenkins Middle School.
January 6: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department met at Jenkins Middle School with CSFD and School District 11 to conduct a visual structural building.
January 7: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department sent an official Notice of Unsafe Conditions to School District 11.
January 9: The Division of Fire Prevention and Control sent an official Notice of Unsafe Conditions to School District 11 notifying the district the school needed to evacuate by January 17th.
January 13: CSFD provided School District 11 with an official notice of evacuation of the school.
CSFD and Colorado Springs School District 11 have been closely monitoring the building structure and fire protection systems at Jenkins Middle School for the past few years. The building has experienced cracking and physical separation of walls and floors, which have progressively worsened, creating openings and penetrations into different fire areas, fire doors, and exit corridors. Working in partnership with CSFD and responding to annual inspections, the district has made diligent efforts to minimize and remediate these issues; however, the building has continued to shift, causing previous repairs to fail. This movement has compromised fire protection systems in ways that do not meet the International Fire Code and have rendered the building unsafe for occupation.
During the annual fire inspection conducted by CSFD on December 18, 2024, it was determined that the building's condition had reached a critical point requiring immediate attention. In response, CSFD notified the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), which oversees public school building standards statewide. On December 23, CSFD formally requested that the district engage a fire protection and structural engineering firm to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the building's systems.
More on Colorado Desk
- Amavi Aesthetic Surgery: Elevating Cosmetic Care with Comprehensive Compassion
- AAGLA Signs With CredHub to Help Owners Comply with New Rent Reporting Requirements
- Hardwood or Tile? A Homeowner's Guide to Choosing the Right Flooring
- Explore the "Magic of Rainbows" in the New Children's Book Series "Mila and Ally's STEMventures
- Relentless 2800 Challenge: A 40-Day Team Fitness Journey Launching for Lent 2025
Since that time, the district has been working closely with Jensen Hughes, a highly regarded engineering firm, to assess the building and gather the most accurate and detailed information on its condition. Their evaluation, which is ongoing, has already identified significant concerns that require additional time for thorough analysis. Based on these findings, and after further consultation with the Fire Department this morning, it was determined that in the interest of everyone's safety, the building should be evacuated while we continue to address these critical issues.
Prioritizing Student Education and Facility Investment
While the Jenkins building will temporarily close, education for Jenkins Middle School students will continue uninterrupted. District 11 is committed to minimizing disruption to learning during this transition. Students will be relocated to another District 11 school building. Each grade level will remain together to ensure continuity in relationships and instruction. Teachers will travel with their students to the new locations.
"We understand that this decision is disruptive and challenging for families, students, and staff," said Superintendent Gaal, Colorado Springs School District 11. "However, safety and education remain our highest priorities. The district has identified a pathway to allocate the necessary capital funds to this project immediately and intends to do everything possible to prioritize these repairs and upgrades so that the Jenkins community can return to their building as swiftly as is safe."
District 11 will share additional details with families, including specific relocation plans, schedules, transportation, and support services, as soon as possible. A community meeting will be held at Doherty High School on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 6 p.m., where representatives from the district, CSFD, DFPC, and Jenkins Middle School leadership will be available to answer questions, provide updates, and hear feedback. Additional community meetings will be held on Thursday, January 16th and Wednesday, January 22nd also at Doherty High School.
More on Colorado Desk
- Super Locksmith In Tampa Florida
- Super Locksmith Saint Petersburg
- Maryland Bill Aims to Curb Mental Health Youth Transport Abuses
- INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD® announces the 2025 winners
- Evolution of an Outdoor Essential
CSFD and District 11 remain united in addressing these challenges collaboratively and transparently to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the Jenkins community.
View the original letter of unsafe conditions CSFD sent the district on December 23 and the notice of evacuation sent on January 13.
Timeline:
December 18: CSFD performed annual inspection. CSFD school inspector notified Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshal of structural and fire protection concerns with the building. CSFD notified Division of Fire Prevention and Control of the concerns. Jenkins Operational Staff was notified in person of the concerns.
December 19: Division of Fire Prevention and Control completed a walk through of the building with CSFD staff. CSFD notified Pikes Peak Regional Building Department of specific concerns.
December 23: CSFD sent a letter to District 11 formally requesting the district engage a fire protection and structural engineering firm to conduct an evaluation of the building's systems.
December 31: The Division of Fire Prevention and Control requested Pikes Peak Regional Building Department to conduct a structural assessment of Jenkins Middle School.
January 6: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department met at Jenkins Middle School with CSFD and School District 11 to conduct a visual structural building.
January 7: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department sent an official Notice of Unsafe Conditions to School District 11.
January 9: The Division of Fire Prevention and Control sent an official Notice of Unsafe Conditions to School District 11 notifying the district the school needed to evacuate by January 17th.
January 13: CSFD provided School District 11 with an official notice of evacuation of the school.
0 Comments
Latest on Colorado Desk
- Cura HR's CEO, Lyssa Hansard, Featured in Forbes: Driving Meaningful Change in Pay Equity
- Zezgo Rent A Car has arrived In Cyprus to Improve Car Rental Options
- Meredith Thomas Returns as Master of Ceremonies for International Women's Day Gala for 2025
- Kim Estes Returns as Master of Ceremonies for International Women's Day Gala for 2025
- Andre Kay Honored with Black Excellence Award by the Florida Panthers
- Wide range of dental care products at upto 40% discounted prices | DentistryDeal.com
- NaturismRE, ANF, and GNA Stand United for Naturist Rights in Australia – A Call for Global Support
- Colorado Springs: Celebrate the 20th Annual Bighorn Sheep Day at Garden of the Gods Park
- Volante of Hanover Expands with the Opening of Its Second Building, Introduces Assisted Living Services
- Talent Concierge® Artists Agency and The Big Talk® Announce Game-Changing Partnership Challenging Status Quo in the Meetings Industry
- Allegiant begins nonstop service from Colorado Springs to Arizona, California and Florida with one-way fares as low as $39*
- Colorado Springs Fire Department to hold quarterly blood drives
- Colorado Springs: Portion of Pikes Peak parking lot in Old Colorado City closing for retaining wall work
- Colorado Springs City Council resolution declares February as Therapeutic Recreation Month
- Colorado Springs: From the desk of Mayor Yemi: Leading like Lincoln—a birthday letter
- FlyBright Pilot Academy Partners with Allegiant Air to Address the Pilot Shortage
- BEPeterson Building Engineering Partnerships
- Velocity Media Expands its Advertising Sales Network with Loop Media Agreement
- WonderDays: The Startup Disrupting the UK Gifting Industry
- Colorado Attorney General & Governor Candidate Phil Weiser Abuses Judicial Power