St. Tammany committee approves HVAC, paving contracts and grants project substantial completions

St. Tammany Parish School Board Finance & Administration Committee members on March 13 approved multiple construction actions, including an HVAC replacement contract for Ponche Train Elementary and Trafunkton Middle Schools, a paving contract for Bonnie Cole Elementary and recommendations of substantial completion for two high‑school renovation projects.

The committee accepted the apparent low base bid and Alternate No. 1 from A and A Mechanical Incorporated in the amount of $602,650 for School Board project P0411, described by the presenter as replacement of four HVAC units serving gymnasiums, cafeterias and adjacent hallways and replacement of kitchen units and refrigerant lines where included in the alternate. "We are recommending the low base bid and alternate number 1 submitted by A and A Mechanical Incorporated in the amount of $602,650 for the replacement of these HVAC units for this project," Miss Tipton said. The motion to accept the recommendation was made by Mr. Green and seconded by Ms. Hansen; the committee voted unanimously.

The committee also accepted the apparent low base bid from Donahoe Construction LLC in the amount of $340,000 for Parish School Board project P0307, described as full mill-and-overlay paving of the front parking lot, driveways and bus loop at Bonnie Cole Elementary, including repair of base areas and adding a few parking spaces. Mr. Breaux moved the motion, Miss Hirstus seconded, and the item passed unanimously. Committee members clarified the work is asphalt areas only and that the work is scheduled as a summer job to avoid disruption during the school year.

In separate votes, the committee recommended substantial completion for Sawdell High School 1033 Ninth Street building renovations, Phase 1 (project P0449), and the visitor-side restroom and concessions building at Mandeville High School (project P0434). Both recommendations were approved unanimously. Miss Tipton reported progress on multiple other campus projects in the district, noting roofing, concrete landings, electrical service work and site finishing at several schools.

Why it matters: the projects affect student access points, athletic amenities and building systems and are timed to proceed during summer to reduce disruption. Committee members asked scheduling and scope questions to minimize impact on students and staff during the school year.

The committee recorded the votes as unanimous on each item and completed the construction report portion of the agenda. Work on the paving contract and HVAC installation is scheduled to begin after the school year ends, and contractors on the accepted projects will proceed toward their respective next steps, including pre-construction meetings and permitting where required.