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District updates: high-school HVAC struggles, TK classrooms delayed by unseen wiring, Hester solar awaits Edison tie-in
Summary
District facilities staff reported HVAC equipment problems at Farmersville High School, a suspected underground chiller leak, change‑order delays for Hester School TK classrooms and a completed Hester solar array still awaiting Southern California Edison connection.
District facilities staff told the board the Farmersville High School central-plant HVAC project is in punch-list status but continues to experience equipment failures and other issues tied to post‑COVID manufacturing and supply problems.
Tony Melendez, a district staff member who presented the update, said contractors are completing operational checks and that the project will move to Division of the State Architect (DSA) inspections for final closeout when those items are verified. Melendez reported recurring equipment failures — including fan blower motor problems he described as appearing to be manufacturer defects — and recommended verifying warranty coverage to limit the need to use general-fund dollars for replacements.
Melendez also said the high school chiller side may have an underground system leak. The contractor suspects a leak but the district has not yet confirmed a major loss; staff said they may use thermal imaging or ground-penetrating radar to locate any underground breach and will obtain repair costs if a leak is confirmed. The district noted the underground piping was not part of the HVAC contract scope and that any repair plan would separate equipment replacement from piping work.
At the Farmersville High School cafeteria (building 200), Melendez said the new HVAC has improved staff comfort and that remaining items are being finished. He also reported one rooftop mini‑split unit needed corrected roof attachments per plan details; that omission requires a change order.
Hester School’s new classrooms (the TK project) are nearing completion: interior work is largely finished and furniture can be ordered, Melendez said, but flooring, final landscaping and exterior entry work remain. A pending fire alarm tie‑in and communication boxes must be completed for occupancy. Melendez added that unforeseen communication wires not shown on the as‑built drawings produced change‑order work and have delayed final closeout; the district is holding 23 modular units on site pending resolution of those change orders.
Melendez said the Hester solar array installation is complete but remains offline pending a Southern California Edison shutdown and connection. The district has scheduled a Saturday shutdown with Edison to tie in the arrays; delays are occurring because Edison is prioritizing emergency response to regional wildfires and inspection resources are limited. System commissioning and DSA closeout cannot occur until the utility connection and inspections are complete.
For Snowden Elementary, Melendez said the new maintenance facility contractor is finishing electrical conduit for parking and that plans include infrastructure to support future phases, including EV charging and solar; the district intends to size conduits now to avoid rework later.
Board members asked about fire alarm integration and whether the new systems would be compatible with existing district alarm infrastructure; Melendez replied that electrical contractors will install conduit and wiring and fire‑alarm subcontractors will program and test devices, and that the district will coordinate with the fire marshal for compliance.
Melendez stressed the role of DSA reviews and typical post‑COVID supply-chain impacts on schedules and cost. He said the district is pursuing corrective action, warranty verification and any necessary change orders to complete the projects and achieve DSA closeout.
