Board reviews Roosevelt ASD playscape, summer bond contingency, Stevenson HVAC and bus seating request

At the Committee of the Whole on Dec. 9 the district’s building and site committee detailed several facilities items and asked the board to place each on the next regular meeting agenda for formal action.

Roosevelt ASD playscape: The district recommended purchasing a playscape and installation specific to the Roosevelt ASD program that will be fenced off and reserved for program students. Presenter Brian Weber and Lisonbee Smith said the equipment would be bought through the Sourcewell cooperative; the total cost including equipment and labor was given as $203,500.92 and the district intends to use Act 18 grant dollars for the purchase. Smith and building staff emphasized the fenced area is required for the youngest learners in the Roosevelt ASD preschool program to mitigate elopement and meet preschool playground guidance. As one staff presenter explained, “Our Roosevelt ASD program starts at preschool. So we have kids as young as 3 accessing this playground equipment… this particular equipment will not be open to the public, because it's gotta be fenced in in order to keep our kiddos safe.” The board asked that the item be placed on the next meeting agenda for a vote.

Summer 2024 bond contingency: Staff asked the board to authorize repurposing unused general‑conditions and contingency dollars — partly from furniture and abatement savings — to address costs needed to close out Summer 2024 renovation projects. The recommended authorization would reserve up to $150,000 of contingency in the bond program for potential late invoices and inspection‑related items. Brian Weber said the request sits at the lower end of a typical 6–10% contingency range and that unused money would return to owner contingency if not needed.

Stevenson HVAC repair: The committee presented a sinking‑fund repair to replace cooling components in chiller systems at Stevenson High School. Staff recommended a low‑cost repair estimate of $59,822.37 and recommended the vendor SIST 10, one of four respondents. Maintenance staff noted lead times of 14–16 weeks and said the replacement is intended to extend the systems’ useful life until a larger capital replacement can be scheduled.

Additional funding for Holland bus purchase: The district flagged a vendor pricing error on a recent six-bus purchase from Holland Bus Company. One bus was quoted without seats because the vendor mistakenly priced a wheelchair‑capacity modification as if all seats would be removed. Staff requested an additional $5,352 for seats, which would bring that bus’s cost to $171,185. District staff said the vendor had acknowledged the mistake and apologetically requested authorization to add the seats; the board directed staff to place the request on the next consent agenda.

None of the projects were finalized with a vote at the committee meeting; staff repeatedly requested placement of each item on the next board agenda for formal approval.