Board advances capital budget; Central High boiler retrofit prioritized and bleachers slated for replacement

The Aberdeen School District board on November 24 approved the second reading of the capital revenue and budget and heard staff updates on Central High School projects, including a prioritized effort to bring a downed boiler back online and a plan to inspect and replace aging bleachers.

Staff said Element Consultants has agreed to shelve other work to prioritize the Central High boiler project and that JCI will visit to evaluate whether the nonworking boiler can be retrofitted temporarily while a permanent solution proceeds. "It seems like it's doable to have that online before the start of school next August," a staff presenter said, describing a target of August 2026. The malfunction was described as a rivet failure that burned a hole in the unit, and staff said the remaining working boiler has been inspected and reassembled.

On bleachers, staff said custodians will remove and inspect the existing wood floor and seating over the Christmas break and perform maintenance; the plan discussed would replace the current wood seating with aluminum‑clad seats to match the West Side, keep capacity the same, and adjust ramps to improve ADA compliance. Board members discussed structural and airport‑proximity constraints that limit changes on one side of the field.

Board members moved and approved the second reading of the capital revenue and budget by voice vote. Staff said they will bring additional options and cost information as they complete inspections and consult builders and engineers.

The board recorded no individual roll‑call votes in the transcript; the motion passed on a voice 'aye' at the meeting.