Oxford Area SD outlines $6.08M phase 1 capital projects; roof and HVAC work to start this summer

Oxford Area SD staff and consultants presented a Phase 1 capital projects update at the Feb. 18 work session that focused on a high school roof protective coating, initial HVAC upgrades and preliminary stadium and athletics improvements, including LED stadium lighting, a new turf field and permanent restrooms.

The item matters because it includes large facilities work that will affect school operations, construction windows and district capital spending. Administrators said Phase 1 work is scheduled to begin in the summer construction window and that additional Phase 2 HVAC replacement planning continues.

Alyssa, a project lead from the consultant (Afford), reviewed the facility conditions assessment and the Phase 1 package. She said the existing high school roof, installed in February 2003, “shows signs of wear, deficiencies, and water drainage issues” and recommended “a 20 year new seamless protective coating” on most roof sections (excluding the metal roof over the gymnasium). She said that coating would extend the roof life by roughly 20 years and would not affect the HVAC replacement sequencing, which the team proposes to phase over two years.

Alyssa said Phase 1 of the HVAC work focuses on gymnasium and locker-room zones because those areas are more sensitive to humidity, allowing the district to add active dehumidification controls and install a new building automation system for those zones first. She described a larger Phase 2 that would replace additional air-handling units and add variable-air-volume control to classrooms; the Phase 2 HVAC line on the presentation included an estimated figure of $12,000,000.

On athletics, administrators said a topographical survey, geotechnical testing, infiltration testing, underground-utility locating, wetland assessment, and erosion- and stormwater-related permitting (including an NPDES-type permit mentioned in the presentation) are prerequisites before turf installation can proceed. Administrators said the district can reuse existing light poles for new LED stadium lighting but must determine lighting levels (higher-performance options would increase cost). The presentation included a professional services proposal from JPD Architects “to complete all of this” with a not-to-exceed fee of $185,000 and a time-and-material hourly rate of $165.

District staff reported Phase 1 project costs came in below an original budget line: an original Phase 1 budget of $6,450,000 produced project costs of $6,055,008.56; with a performance fund included the total shown in the presentation was $6,081,735. Administrators said the district will return to the board in April with the final LED stadium-lighting cost and in September with bids for turf and restrooms; the plan presented anticipates beginning permitting for turf in May and starting Phase 1 roof/HVAC and lighting construction during the summer preconstruction window so work would be substantially complete by the following August/September.

Board members raised cost-avoidance and aesthetics questions. Mr. Patton (board member) suggested addressing smaller aesthetic or nuisance items—such as invasive vines near visitor stands or a small timekeeper area—while large construction is underway, reasoning that small additional spend could prevent persistent maintenance problems. He also asked about protecting the track from heavy equipment during turf installation; consultants said temporary structures and protections would be part of construction planning.

Administrators said they plan to bring professional-services and construction items to the regular meeting agenda for formal board action. The work session concluded with an announcement that the board would hold an executive session after the meeting to discuss personnel, specifically the assistant superintendent’s contract.