Board approves Prop S contracts, abatement and districtwide maintenance agreements

The Webster Groves School District Board of Education on April 24 approved several contracts and maintenance agreements funded by the district's 50.4 million dollar Prop S program, district staff said.

Board members voted to award an asbestos abatement contract for the Hixson family and consumer sciences (FACS) classroom and to approve a larger construction package to rebuild and expand that FACS space. The board also approved repairs to high‑school cooling towers and a districtwide preventive maintenance agreement for HVAC equipment.

District facilities presenter Jacob Myers summarized Prop S spending and commitments before the votes, telling the board the district has spent roughly $27 million and has committed about 77% of the Prop S budget. He said the district also used a $241,000 Missouri safety grant last year to supplement interior door replacement work in the security category of Prop S.

Details of the approved items: - Hixson FACS abatement: Wellington Environmental was recommended and approved for the abatement package at a contract price recorded in the meeting as $82,000.86. The abatement is required before demolition and reconstruction of the FACS classroom because asbestos was identified in that room. - FACS classroom construction: The board approved a construction contract (recommended: United Construction) to rebuild and reconfigure the Hixson FACS space, add ventilation and exhaust hoods, and update cabinet and finish work. District staff said the full scope grew from earlier estimates mainly because of hood and ventilation costs required for safe culinary instruction; grant funding for career and technical education is expected to reduce the district's net cost to roughly $1.1'$1.2 million compared with a higher bid figure reported during discussion. - Cooling tower repairs: The board approved a repair package for the high‑school cooling towers through cooperative purchasing (vendor: IFS). Staff said the towers remain functional but need work to restore efficiency for hot weather operation; the cost was described in discussion as being covered from the maintenance budget. - HVAC preventive maintenance agreement: The board approved a districtwide planned maintenance agreement with Integrated Facility Services (IFS) to provide semiannual and annual inspections, cleaning, testing and prioritized service for rooftop units, chillers, boilers and related systems. Staff said the agreement is intended to reduce emergency repairs and extend equipment life while securing discounts on parts and labor.

Board procedure and votes: Each contract was presented and discussed by staff and voted on during the consent/action portion of the meeting. Motions were made from the floor and carried by voice vote; individual roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the public transcript excerpt.

Why it matters: The approvals move the Prop S program from planning into construction and maintenance work that district officials say will address safety, accessibility and instructional needs (for example, adding ventilation for culinary classrooms and completing camera and badge upgrades). District staff said Prop S spending decisions also include use of grants and reallocation among Prop S categories when necessary to meet project scope.

What comes next: Staff said abatement work will precede construction at Hixson and that some packages will proceed concurrently. Camera replacements, exterior door upgrades, roof and rooftop unit work and masonry repairs were noted as ongoing or scheduled for upcoming months. The board will receive additional contract and budget details as packages are brought forward.