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School board approves $1.19 million contract to replace Mark Morris High School chiller
Summary
The Longview School Board voted to award a $1.19 million contract to Columbia Allied Services to replace a failed chiller at Mark Morris High School, funding the work from the district's capital PRAM list and prioritizing a larger unit to add cooling to library, LGIC, career center and gym spaces.
The Longview School Board voted Jan. 13 to award a contract to Columbia Allied Services for the replacement of the failing chiller at Mark Morris High School, approving the contract amount read into the record as $1.19 million.
District staff said the replacement chiller will be larger than the unit originally in place because the engineering review identified additional school spaces that currently lack cooling — the library, the LGIC, the career center and the gym. Those additions increased the required chiller size and the overall job scope.
Rick Parrish, a district facilities presenter, told the board: "The cost of this project is significantly higher than both the initial estimates provided to us by Windsor Engineering ... and the amount previously approved by the board." Patty Bowen, the district finance director, said the work will be paid from the district's PRAM capital projects list for 2025 and recommended proceeding rather than delaying the work.
Board members and staff described the procurement process: the district solicited bids and received five responses clustered in a narrow range, which staff said supported the conclusion that market prices — driven by higher labor and component costs — were the cause of the increase, not an outlier bid. Staff presented alternatives, including installing a smaller or different chiller, but said those options would have required electrical upgrades, reengineering and delays that would offset any apparent savings.
Superintendent Dr. Mollinger and other staff emphasized timing: the district is currently renting a temporary chiller to maintain building systems, and staff said quicker award and procurement reduces rental costs and the risk of future price increases. Board members also noted the availability of local capital levy funds and thanked the community for supporting capital work.
The board president called for a motion; a board member moved to award the Mark Morris chiller project to Columbia Allied Services for the amount read in the board packet (recorded in the meeting as $1.19 million) and another board member seconded. The board then voted, with those present signaling approval by voice. The contract award was approved.
Staff said they will push submittals and manufacturer lead times immediately after contract execution so the district can receive equipment and complete installation as soon as possible.
Funding and scope details discussed during the meeting: staff said the project will include a 250‑ton chiller, replacement of pumps, a surge tank and other supporting equipment to expand cooling to the additional spaces; staff also said the chosen chiller type permits reuse of the existing electrical service and avoids an electrical service upgrade.
The board placed the award on the consent of the district's capital project prioritization process and indicated staff will re-prioritize PRAM items as needed to cover the increased cost.
