School Roof Repairs Resume After Permit Dispute Is Settled

Roofers have resumed repairing schools after being stopped for more than two weeks by the Compton Fire Department, which had a contractor arrested for allegedly not having the proper city permits to operate a propane-ignited boiler for heating roofing materials.

After a standoff between city officials and state-appointed school officials, a compromise was reached under which the contractor obtained a city permit to complete work on the condition that the boilers are isolated 150 feet from any occupied classroom or office, Compton school district spokeswoman Vivien Hao said Friday.

Roofing resumed this week at McNair Elementary School, where the roofer was arrested March 3. Repairs are also scheduled at seven other schools. The school district has repaired roofs at 18 schools during the last school year.