Bond renovations near completion; middle-school roofs and exterior panels delayed; board approves kitchen equipment purchase

The board received an update on bond-funded facility projects and approved a purchase of food-service equipment costing more than $50,000.

Eric Nolan told the board most renovations and additions are finished and that only punch-list items remain for many projects. Two items lagging behind schedule are ongoing roof work at the middle school — gym and second-story roof sections — and an exterior wall renovation that depends on delivery of replacement panels. Nolan said the panels originally expected by November have been delayed until December or January, and cold-weather concerns could push work into spring.

"The flat roof sections are done and completed. We still have the gyms and the second story original roof to get done," Nolan said. "We've been told that those panels won't be in until December, January." Board members asked about timelines for Hawthorne and the middle school; Nolan said Hawthorne could finish midweek following district days off, while middle-school work likely will extend into November or later.

In a separate action item, the board approved an over-$50,000 purchase for Index Restaurant Supply to replace a conveyor-style dishwasher at the junior high, add a reach-in refrigerator for the middle school and purchase six milk coolers for elementary schools. District staff said the existing equipment was failing more frequently and parts were becoming harder to obtain.

"These items have been kicked down the road for the last few years and we have tried to band-aid them. They are reaching the point where they've exhausted their life with us," district staff said. The motion to approve the purchase was moved and seconded on the record; the board approved it by voice vote.

No timeline was specified for delivery of the major dishwasher beyond the comment that installation would require scheduling; milk coolers and reach-in refrigerators were presented as high-priority health-inspection items.