District outlines summer capital work: TMS roof/HVAC, TES repairs, field and parking planning

District facilities staff updated the board on major capital and maintenance projects planned for the coming months, including a replacement roof and HVAC work at Tonganoxie Middle School, continuing VRF compressor replacements at Tonganoxie Elementary School and early design work for a multipurpose field and expanded parking.

The update matters because the projects address aging HVAC equipment, safety and usability of outdoor facilities, and long‑term property planning; some repairs carry significant costs and interact with bond contingency budgeting.

Facilities staff said a preconstruction meeting for the TMS roof and HVAC project will occur within about two weeks and contractors are coordinating schedules for simultaneous roof and HVAC work. On TES (the elementary school), staff described a series of VRF compressor failures after an extreme cold snap; staff said Trane had previously extended warranties but those extended warranties have now expired, increasing repair costs. "Every time we lose a compressor that cost has doubled because there's just no warranty to parts or labor anymore," facilities staff said, and they estimated about 12 to 13 compressors would be replaced by the time repairs are complete.

The TES VRF system work includes replacing compressors and control boards and, on the system designated VRF3 (first‑grade pod), repiping that unit; work is scheduled to continue over the coming two weeks and the district will test operation during hotter weather this summer. Facilities staff said Trane is preparing an energy‑efficiency study to inform future replacement decisions and scheduling of subsequent units.

The district also approved sending design work to DLR Group (with Schlegel & Associates as civil engineer) to develop options for a multipurpose field and additional parking, including bus parking. A parking‑lot project for TES/TMS (edge mill and overlay of the large lot plus sealcoating and restriping of remaining district blacktop) was bid with six responses; staff said they originally had earmarked roughly $800,000 in planning but received competitive bids that should save money.

Other items staff listed for summer or near‑term work included shop and field‑house air‑conditioning updates, boiler replacement planning, and a recommended track overlay to resurface the high school track (industry guidance is overlay/respray every seven to eight years). Staff gave a preliminary budget estimate of about $100,000 for the track overlay and said they would pursue an RFP and multiple bids.

Board members complimented the facilities staff on ongoing management of multiple projects. No formal capital approvals were taken at that moment beyond scheduling design work and preparing RFPs; staff said specific bids and contract approvals will return to the board for formal action.

Speakers (first reference) Mitch Loomis, district staff member (facilities and capital projects reporting to the board)

Clarifying details TMS: new roof and HVAC project; preconstruction meeting to set schedules and coordination. TES: VRF compressor and board replacements ongoing; estimated 12–13 compressor replacements due to warranty expiration after extreme cold; VRF3 repiping scheduled for first‑grade pod. Parking/fields: DLR Group engaged for design; six bids received for parking overlay work; original planning earmark for overlay about $800,000 (staff said the actual low bid was lower, saving district funds). Track overlay: preliminary estimate ~$100,000; industry practice ~7–8 year respray cycle.

No vote was undertaken on final contracts during the report; staff will return recommendations for formal approval when bids and designs are complete.