Sheridan County School District #3 approves heat‑pump purchases and installation contract; electrical upgrades recommended
Summary
The board approved buying heat‑pump mini‑split equipment and a separate installation contract with TS Mechanical and discussed contracting electrical upgrades; a $45,000 Wyoming Energy Authority grant will cover much of the equipment cost.
Sheridan County School District #3’s board voted to buy HVAC equipment and approved a separate installation contract after administrators told trustees the purchases advance long‑planned maintenance and efficiency work.
Administrators recommended purchasing mini‑split heat‑pump units from TS Mechanical for $47,562.29 and contracting the company to perform installation for $40,008.37. The board adopted both items after discussion. The administration said the district received a $45,000 grant from the Wyoming Energy Authority to help pay for the equipment; the grant is for equipment purchases, not installation.
The district’s finance presenter reported October expenditures of $270,541.75 and said the HVAC purchases were procured using multiple vendor quotes that fell below formal bid thresholds. Board members asked about warranty start dates and whether the district is purchasing equipment directly from a distributor and separately contracting installation; administrators confirmed purchase-and-install arrangements and standard 50%‑down / 50%‑final payment terms on the contracts.
Administrators also outlined larger planned maintenance needs and early design conversations with a consultant (Van Boogeman): wall finish replacements, a security vestibule, exterior fencing and traffic‑flow changes near the commons, with cost estimates to be presented when available.
The board record shows motions for the equipment purchase and the installation contract were moved, seconded and approved. The administration said it will return with more detailed cost breakdowns and timeline information as project planning advances.
