Updated: Leaks at Middle School Persist Following Costly Roof Replacement
The Amherst Regional Middle School roof including the auditorium roof was replaced during the summer of 2026. Photo: Google Maps
School Superintendent Dr, E. Xiomara Herman (Dr. Xi) informed Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS) and Chestnut Street Academy (CSA) families in a Sept. 1 email that the recently replaced Middle School roof still leaks. On the first day of school, staff found water in three classrooms, several hallways, and shared spaces. Classes have been relocated as necessary. Dr.. Xi reports that both ARMS and CSA will follow their regular school schedules and that no CSA classrooms have been affected.
Dr. Xi sent a second email update on the conditions at ARMS on Tuesday (9/1) evening, and that email is reproduced below.
Leaks in classrooms, mold, poor air quality, and falling ceiling tiles were persistent problems at ARMS last year. Roof repairs began over the summer and were completed last week. The first day of school for ARMS and CSA students was delayed until Monday, Aug. 31, because of air quality concerns. Air quality testing will continue on Sept. 7. The Regional School Committee is scheduled to meet on Sept. 8 to discuss the roof’s condition.
Dr. Xi’s Email Update to Parents
Greetings ARMS and CSA Community,
As promised, I am writing with an update about the ARMS roof project and the water leaks caused by today’s heavy rain.
District leaders met with Vertex, the company managing the project for the District, and Silktown, the roofing contractor. We reviewed what happened, how the team responded, and what work must now be completed.
What We Know
- ARMS and CSA will continue to follow their regular school schedules.
- Based on what the project team has seen so far, holes left after the old roof safety rails were removed appear to be one of the main causes of the leaks. These areas had been covered with waterproof tape until permanent metal covers could be installed.
- The roofing contractor also reported that unfinished gutters and outside drainage systems contributed to today’s leaks. The project team is still checking the cause of each leak.
- More leaks were found throughout the day on September 1. The project team continues to check these areas.
- Some water entered through open windows. Until all gutters, drains, and outside metal work are finished, windows should remain closed during rain.
- At this time, no CSA classrooms or spaces have been affected.
- Our current priority is addressing the instructional wing so that teaching and learning can continue.
- The gym remains an active construction area. It is expected to remain closed until early October. Work is taking place on the roof above the gym, so the area must remain closed for safety.
What We Have Done and Are Doing
- District custodians responded right away. They removed the water and cleaned the affected areas.
- Silktown sealed and strengthened the areas where the old roof safety rails had been removed. They also caulked and further secured the coverings.
- Silktown will continue making repairs as needed.
- The contractor has been directed to focus its workers and equipment on the instructional wing. This includes installing gutters, closing openings, and finishing the remaining roof and metal work.
- Three metal-work crews are scheduled to be on-site tomorrow, September 2.
- About 20 roofers are also scheduled to return tomorrow. Some will work on the gym roof. Others will finish roofing and metal work on the classroom wing.
- The project team will continue checking every reported leak and making repairs as problems are found.
- School staff will relocate classes or close affected areas when needed so that instruction can continue.
What We Don’t Know Yet
- We do not yet have a confirmed date for completing all remaining gutters, roof-edge metal work, and permanent metal covers. Silktown will provide an expected completion date tomorrow morning.
- We do not yet know how the building will respond during the next heavy rain. This is why the most likely areas to leak must be addressed before Thursday.
- We do not yet know whether any affected building materials will need more repairs or replacement.
- We do not yet know whether more classrooms or spaces will need to be temporarily relocated or closed while the review and repairs continue.
What’s Next
- Silktown will provide an expected completion date for the remaining roof-edge and metal closure work tomorrow, September 2.
- More rain is expected on Thursday. The project team is focusing first on the instructional areas. While we cannot promise that there will be no additional leaks, we are working to reduce that risk. If more leaks occur, we will respond quickly and keep you informed.
- Air-quality testing remains scheduled for September 7. More testing may be completed if needed so that we can continue checking conditions inside the building.
- We will provide another update after we receive Silktown’s expected completion date and review the work completed on the instructional wing.
- We will continue to share progress, challenges, and any new concerns identified during the project.
The project team understands the concern this has caused for students, staff, and families. The team is working to find the causes of the leaks, make repairs, and complete the remaining outside roofing and metal work as safely and quickly as possible.
I want to be transparent that I share the frustration and concern our staff, families, and community may be feeling. The conditions experienced today are not what we expected. I recognize the disruption and uncertainty they have caused. As we address these conditions, clear communication and a timely response must remain central to this work. You deserve to know what happened, what is being done, and what questions remain.
We will continue sharing our progress and challenges so that we can move through this process together.
Thank you for your continued patience and partnership.
Dr. Xi
Superintendent
Nice priorities Amherst. Millions of dollars spent on the new library instead of addressing leaking roofs and mold at schools and the DPW.
If I were an Amherst parent or taxpayer, I would be asking the school authorities some tough questions here, started with exactly what did they put in their RFP regarding completion date, expectations, and consequences if the expectations or date were not met. Simply stated, when did they tell the contractor that the contractor needed to be done by?
It rained. That’s been known to happen in Massachusetts. It’s why we have trees and grass and aren’t living in a desert — although I believe Amherst is still in a level two drought, which means it’s been a dryer than normal summer. And that means the roofing guys should’ve been able to accomplish more than usual because they weren’t dealing with rain in the summer as much.
The contractor allegedly used waterproof tape to cover holes. I’d ask exactly what brand of waterproof tape and want to see it because there are waterproof tapes that are actually waterproof. And if I worked for the district, I’d be up on the roof looking to see if the contractor’s guys actually put the tape on the holes or not — just like I once went up a roof at Southpoint to actually see if there actually was a tarp across the roof, across from all of the roof — or not. (I did not enjoy being up there, but there are lots of things you can’t do from your desk.)
Which goes to my third point; when you have a building that’s open and you know it’s gonna rain heavily, they have these things called tarps that you can put over the building temporarily,. They have some very big tarps and while you might not be able to cover the entire roof you probably can cover the portions that are vulnerable.
You have water into the building, even if you don’t get mold, you have damages. Those custodians didn’t work for free, replacement ceiling tiles aren’t free, etc.. who’s paying for all of that? And then who’s gonna pay to abate the mold if you wind up with that?
Roofs that don’t leak and contractors that are giving clear expectations and then held to them is neither a Liberal nor a Conservative thing. Instead, it’s a good government thing, and like I said, if my kid was going to that school or my property taxes were paying for that, people would know that I was not happy about it…
The superintendent is the captain and she’s responsible for her ship, but she’s not the only administrator I’d be asking questions about. Somebody in that district is responsible for building maintenance, somebody is supposed to know something about roofs — and, ummm, well????
And 3 to 4 months from now, Amherst is going to get something called snow, and I can assure you you absolutely do not want to go into winter without that roof being watertight because you will have headaches beyond comprehension if you do.