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Board approves amended Fund 46 capital improvement plan after facilities briefing
Summary
District facilities staff warned of aging rooftop units, boilers at capacity and exterior caulking/tuckpointing needs; board approved an amended Fund 46 capital improvement plan and discussed budgeting $50,000–$100,000 annually to build reserves for targeted repairs and HVAC replacements.
District staff introduced an amended Fund 46 capital improvement plan and outlined priorities at the Saint Croix School District board meeting on March 19.
A facilities staff member identified as Nick explained that several rooftop RTU (roof-top unit) HVAC systems are at or near end of life, often configured with tandem compressors so loss of one compressor can disable an entire unit. He detailed complications including obsolete refrigerant/gas constraints and aged building-automation controls, which increase the cost and complexity of full replacements. Nick also said boilers at the middle school are near capacity and were strained during recent cold snaps; while there is some redundancy, the systems are running at their limits. He emphasized exterior caulking and tuckpointing needs at the middle school and other buildings as higher priority—saying neglect could lead to water intrusion, rust damage and larger structural repairs. The staff estimate to begin tuckpointing work on a single side of the building was presented as roughly $30,000, with broader needs possibly in the $30,000–$60,000 range.
Board members discussed available funds and referendum balances. The business/finance presenter noted the referendum funds are nearly spent and that Fund 46 currently holds limited balance; staff said the district has until July 31 to allocate funds for the 2024–25 fiscal year. Several board members advocated establishing recurring annual contributions to Fund 46—suggested amounts ranged from $50,000 to $100,000—to create a reserve for prioritized repairs rather than reallocating those amounts to other budget items.
After discussion, Board Member Dave moved to approve the amended Fund 46 capital improvement plan; Board Member Brad seconded the motion. The board voted in favor and the motion carried.
Board members and staff characterized the action as establishing an amended, flexible plan that will allow the district to set aside funds and schedule repairs (typically during summer months). Staff said immediate priorities would include targeted tuckpointing/caulking work, replacement of end-of-life rooftop units as budgets permit, and selective water-heater and kitchen equipment repairs that reduce long-term costs. No specific dollar amount was added to the plan at the meeting; board members indicated further budgeting discussions would occur during the next budget cycle.
