Structural Issues Delay Rebuilding of Rickards Middle School

A roof collapse at Rickards Middle School in Oakland Park has led to significant delays in the school’s rebuilding project, raising concerns about construction practices within the Broward School District. Initially anticipated to be completed by August 2024, the timeline has shifted, with new estimates pushing the completion of the main building to summer 2026 and the gymnasium to January 2027.

The collapse, which occurred on March 5, 2021, left the school community traumatized, with approximately ten individuals hospitalized for various ailments. The incident has since highlighted ongoing issues within the district’s construction practices. The new gymnasium, one of two large buildings planned for the new campus, has recently been red-tagged, halting work due to structural concerns related to the joists used during roofing.

Reports from the South Florida Sun Sentinel indicate that the problems with the gymnasium echo findings from a 2021 engineering review that identified similar issues as contributing factors to the original roof collapse. In addition to the red tag, the new construction has faced numerous challenges, including unapproved installations, design changes, and failed inspections.

School Board member Sarah Leonardi, who represents Rickards, expressed her frustration over the delays, stating, “It is catastrophically alarming that we are in this predicament now. I have made it very clear every step of the way that this is completely unacceptable.”

The delays have been attributed in part to the district’s decision to reuse architectural designs from a Miami-Dade County school that had not yet begun construction. This decision led to modifications in the Rickards design, further complicating the project timeline. Leonardi has called for accountability for those who advocated for this approach, stating that the flaws in the design should have been identified earlier.

New superintendent Howard Hepburn, who took office in April 2024, has stated that he holds contractors and architects responsible for the issues, emphasizing the need for accountability moving forward. He remarked, “It’s unfortunate that there have been many bumps in the road, and we’re going to hold the contractors and also the architects accountable for the issues that have arisen within the past year.”

The architectural firm responsible for the project, Zyscovich Architects, has not responded to inquiries, while the general contractor, CORE Construction, defended its track record in a statement. Senior vice president Ted Cava asserted that the firm takes construction issues seriously and is collaborating closely with the School Board to resolve concerns.

Until the new campus is completed, students and staff remain in temporary facilities that lack essential amenities, including a cafeteria and gymnasium. This marks the fifth school year that the community has been housed in these portables.

Scott Rubinchik, a language arts teacher at Rickards, highlighted the ongoing frustrations, stating, “We can see the new building. We can see the structure. We took a tour of it in August, but there was nowhere near completion on the inside.”

The construction challenges are not isolated to Rickards Middle School. The Broward School District has faced scrutiny for years over its construction processes. A 2021 grand jury report criticized the district for slow progress and increasing costs of various projects funded by an $800 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2014. Despite promises of improvements in construction practices following the roof collapse, the district has continued to experience significant setbacks.

The School Board had previously assured stakeholders that the Rickards rebuilding project would be different, aiming to avoid costly errors and expedite the timeline by reusing existing designs. While board members initially praised this approach, oversight groups raised concerns about the risks involved in reusing untested designs.

As construction delays persist, the district has seen costs rise, with the budget for the Rickards project increasing from an initial estimate of $60 million to $82 million as of September 2023. Amid these challenges, newly appointed superintendent Peter Licata pledged to prioritize the completion of Rickards and other delayed projects, stating, “There’s been a lot of mistakes in the past. It’s not going to happen on my watch.”

Despite these promises, Licata announced his retirement in April 2023, leading to further instability in district leadership. Hepburn has since stepped into the role, continuing the effort to address ongoing construction issues.

In a recent report, the construction management firm AECOM noted that numerous structural changes had been made to the main building, prompting the district to seek external reviews. The ongoing complications include unresolved design inconsistencies affecting around 80% of the main building. As construction on the gymnasium has halted completely, the district is currently reviewing plans to ensure compliance with structural design criteria.

Leonardi remains steadfast in her commitment to ensuring student safety, stating, “I want to make it very clear that I will not allow the superintendent to allow students or people in any building that is not safe.” The future of Rickards Middle School hangs in the balance as the community awaits the resolution of these critical construction issues.