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Board approves HVAC and two roofing projects; approves Vivi renewal
Summary
The Cleveland County Board of Education approved a renewal of the Vivi classroom display subscription and accepted bids for an HVAC replacement at Kings Mountain High and roofing projects at Burns and Crest high schools; two roofing awards passed 6–3 after questions about an unusually low bid.
The Cleveland County Board of Education on Monday approved three facilities projects and a technology subscription renewal recommended by its safety and operations committee.
The board voted unanimously to renew the ViviPro subscription and associated hardware and software for $76,069.40, to be paid from the district’s school safety grant. Board members then approved a recommendation to accept the lowest qualified bid for an HVAC unit replacement at Kings Mountain High School (Band and Chorus Hall): Digitrol, plus a 15% contingency, for a total project authorization of $145,000. That motion carried 9–0.
Two roofing projects drew extended discussion before approval. For Burns High School (portion of classrooms, media center and adjacent hallways), the board accepted the lowest bid from Gutter Guys plus a 20% contingency for a total of $119,994. After trustees asked why one bid was far lower than others, facilities staff said they had contacted the low bidder twice to confirm the price and offered the bidder the opportunity to withdraw an apparent error; the company confirmed the figure. The board approved the Burns High award 6–3.
Trustees approved a similar award to Gutter Guys for Crest High School’s cafeteria and dining room roof — $122,470 including contingency — by the same 6–3 margin. Facilities staff said Gutter Guys is a local firm that has completed work for the district in prior years and that warranty terms are standard: two years contractor coverage and a manufacturer-backed remainder of the 20‑year warranty, subject to usual exclusions.
Facilities staff emphasized that the district monitors contractor work daily and that the bidding process for these projects used an HVAC engineer to solicit qualified vendors. Board members pressed staff for documentation when a bid is a large outlier; staff said they reviewed the low bid line‑by‑line with the contractor and confirmed the company’s financial commitment to the price.
Votes at a glance
- ViviPro renewal (software and related hardware): $76,069.40, funded from school safety grant — approved 9–0. - HVAC replacement, Kings Mountain High (Band/Chorus Hall): Digitrol (lowest qualified) + 15% contingency — authorized $145,000 — approved 9–0. - Roofing, Burns High School (portion of 100 Hall, media center, offices, hallway): Gutter Guys + 20% contingency — authorized $119,994 — approved 6–3. - Roofing, Crest High School (cafeteria/dining): Gutter Guys + 20% contingency — authorized $122,470 — approved 6–3.
Board members who spoke during the discussion included Mr. Danny Blanton, who urged extra scrutiny when bids differ widely, and Mr. Chip Childers and Mr. Daniel Sherman, who described the district’s vetting process and on‑site oversight.
The three projects will move forward under the usual procurement contract and project supervision procedures; contingency amounts were included to cover unforeseen costs discovered during construction.
