Hunter
10/24/23
The Cedar Rapids School District announced the closing of domes at Taft and Harding middle schools due to deterioration of support beams.
The Gazette reports the two middle schools were constructed in 1965 using the same design that features two domes. On Oct. 11, school officials announced the evacuation and closure of Taft’s east dome after an inspection found it was unstable. The dome held the cafeteria, kitchen, performing arts classrooms and their auditorium.
Consulting teams were conducting additional evaluations Monday while schools were not in session. Additional damage that was not originally seen on visual evaluation was found underneath the steel supports. In an email to families at Taft and Harding, director of Operations Chad Schumacher said that extra weight of snow and ice on the domes as winter comes would put more stress on the structures, making them more dangerous.
Taft’s west dome, which houses their gym, is now closed. At Harding, the domes hold the same facilities as Taft.
The district is looking to employ portable buildings to provide additional space while repairs are being made. Raker Rhodes Structural Engineering says a plan will be presented to the District as soon as possible.