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Kingsport board approves $2.675 million appropriation for Washington Elementary HVAC replacement
Summary
The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education approved a $2,675,000 budget amendment on Aug. 12 to fund replacement of the HVAC system at Washington Elementary School, using unreserved fund balance temporarily while the city plans bond financing to reimburse the district.
The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education on Aug. 12 approved a $2,675,000 budget amendment to fund replacement of the HVAC system at Washington Elementary School.
The amendment, presented by David Fry, will appropriate the funds from the district’s unreserved fund balance so the district can award a contract and order equipment before long lead times delay work. Fry said the district expects equipment lead times of about three months and plans to open bids on Aug. 20 and return a recommended bid for board approval in September. He said the city has committed to reimburse the district from a future bond sale, and the district will restore the fund balance after the city appropriates bond proceeds.
The amendment includes a 6% contingency ($150,000) and an additional $25,000 for miscellaneous expenses. Fry also said there will be a separate appropriation of $25,000 to a school special projects account from a donation by Nathan Morton on behalf of his sister; that donation is to be split into two $12,500 awards for Sevier and Dobyns-Bennett to supplement special education programming. Fry told the board, “I’m asking the board tonight to appropriate $2,675,000 from our unreserved fund balance.”
Fry said the district had previously appropriated funds for the project’s architect and that bid approval will then go to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for two readings, with a city bid-approval date discussed for Sept. 16. He also noted the state fire marshal fee would be a small additional cost (he estimated $3,000–$5,000) and that the project’s schedule depends on manufacturer lead time.
Board members took an audible voice vote on the amendment. The motion passed unanimously.
The board did not change the scope of the replacement project during the discussion; Fry said the appropriation is intended to let the district award a contract and place equipment orders so the project can be complete by the start of the next school year, subject to equipment lead times and the city’s bond schedule.
