Board approves support-services purchase orders; authorizes chiller replacement funding and surplus of two activity buses

Wayne County's Board of Education on Jan. 6 approved support-services purchase orders that include transportation parts, bus repairs and a major HVAC replacement, and approved surplus of two older activity buses.

Doctor Harrell reported three support-services items for approval: two open purchase orders (Carolina Thomas materials for transportation and White's International for bus repairs, encumbering $53,375 including tax) and a contract with Superior Mechanical to replace a chiller at Spring Creek Elementary for $340,000, funded from the public school building renovation fund. Harrell said the district must submit the chiller project to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction planning office for review before accessing those funds. He told the board the chiller is about 30 years old and replacement is needed.

Separately, the board approved surplusing two activity buses (1996 Ford models, high mileage) that are increasingly costly to maintain. Harrell noted the buses remain operable but replacement has been difficult because of age and mileage; the board previously approved purchases of two new activity buses in the prior two years.

Motions to approve the three support-services purchase orders and the surplus of the two buses were made, seconded and approved by the board.

Why it matters: The chiller replacement is a capital maintenance item that affects building operations, heating and cooling for students and staff. Surplusing old vehicles is a routine fleet-management step that clears assets for disposal or replacement planning.