JEFFERSON TWP — With rain pouring down Wednesday night, South Butler School Board members decided to do something about the roof over their heads.

Since Knoch Middle School was built in 1996, the district has complained to the shingle manufacturer about deficiencies on a specific portion of the roof.

"The roof is getting worse rapidly," said board member Glenn Lang at the meeting in the middle school library.

The board decided to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer GAF-ELK Corp., and other related parties.

Lang said a company representative visited the district this spring to inspect the roof. The district wanted the company to honor its warranty and replace the shingles, Lang said. However since that visit, the company has not responded or replaced the shingles.

The roof is now leaking onto the rafters in a part of the roof that is pitched, but it has not so far leaked through the ceiling, a school official said.

The board authorized its solicitor to file suit against the manufacturer, Varga Roofing, and the performance bond company on the project for losses and damages related to the shingles and to recover the manufacturer's warranty.

A second vote authorized Foreman Architects to draw up specifications to have the roof repaired and then advertise for bids.

"We must get the roof replaced before school starts," Lang said.