As the sounds of roof work echoed over head, Mississippi Schoolof the Arts employees covered computers, desks and other equipmentwith plastic Friday afternoon in Lampton Auditorium.

The protective covering was in preparation for removal ofdamaged plaster that was to be done Saturday at the historicbuilding on the Whitworth College campus.

The plaster removal is part of a $153,000 roof replacementproject that is expected to be completed in January, said MSAExecutive Director Dr. Vicki Bodenhamer. The current workrepresents the second time the Lampton roof has had to be replacedin recent years.

Bodenhamer said the current roof was not installed properlyduring a mid-1990s restoration effort. The contractor that did thework is no longer in business.

“It’s caused interior water damage to the plaster on all foursides of the building,” Bodenhamer said.

The roof problem was detected during an inspection of Lamptonand other buildings that are being renovated as the arts schoolprepares to open next year.

“There are tiles up there that were never attached. They’re justlaying up there,” Bodenhamer said.

Bodenhamer recalled some recent interior flooding because of theleaky roof.

“We had water literally running across the floor,” Bodenhamersaid.

School officials said the situation was especially bad duringheavy rains within the last month. Bodenhamer’s desk on theauditorium stage had to be moved to avoid water as it came throughthe ceiling and down the walls.

“The more it rains, the move plaster falls off the walls,”Bodenhamer said.

Roof, gutter and interior repairs are being done during thecurrent project. Money for the work is coming from a state repairand restoration fund designated for the upkeep of stateproperty.

Bodenhamer said the plaster removal was being done on theweekend to avoid disrupting school activities. School personnelwill be back at work Monday, although the walls will be bare untilplaster is replaced later.

“They have to let the walls dry before they can put the newplaster up,” Bodenhamer said.

Tiles, including some original material, on the building nowwill not be put back.

Bodenhamer said there would be no warranty if the used tileswere put back on the roof. Instead, reproduced tiles will be put onto save the building.

“You’ve got your choice of losing the building or putting onreproduction tiles,” Bodenhamer said. “The community won’t be ableto tell the difference.”

Mentioning the possibility of a fund-raiser, Bodenhamer saidoptions of what to do with the removed tiles are still beingexplored. For now, she said the tiles will be stored elsewhere oncampus.

In other arts school activity, Bodenhamer said she has heardsome comments about campus grounds being damaged while work goingon.

“Any time you bring heavy equipment the grounds, it’s going tocause ruts,” Bodenhamer said.

Bodenhamer said the contract calls for grounds and sidewalks tobe redone as part of interior work on Johnson Institute and theY-Hut. She estimated that work would be done in the spring.