Board approves $1.15 million in immediate capital work; septic project to be planned separately

The RSU 40/MSAD 40 school board approved immediate capital work to address a failing roof at Union Elementary School, upgrades to central-office heating and hot water and a set of school-site safety and lab improvements after a presentation from facilities staff and the districtenergy partner.

"One is to extend $1.15 million on a couple of projects," the presenter said, outlining requests for roof replacement at Union Elementary, heat-pump and hot-water system work at central office and science-lab fume-hood and ventilation upgrades at the high school. He also asked the board to approve using $600,000 from the capital reserve fund to finance part of the work and to authorize district staff to proceed with EEI on a performance contract that would bundle larger projects.

Presenter Brian Reyes (facilities) and an EEI representative described the financing approach: bundling energy-efficiency projects and the larger septic-system replacement at the high school into a performance contract that would let efficiency savings offset annual payments. Administrators estimated the high-school septic reconstruction could run in the "roughly $2 million" range; earlier estimates had been lower but recent engineering and scope changes raised the projection.

Board members pressed staff on the prioritization of the Union roof over the septic work. Staff said the roof is at risk of failure and can be completed this summer on a short contractor timeline, while the septic project requires additional engineering, state approvals and more time to plan. "We can do it this year. We can do it right now, and it needs to be done," a presenter said about the roof; the same presenter said the septic cannot be executed this summer.

Administrators said they expect efficiency rebates on heat pumps of about $125,000, which would reduce the net cost of the immediate project set. The presenter also reported a previous budget addition of $1 million to the facilities budget that will roll into fund balance unless separately earmarked; staff said their recommendation would use capital-reserve dollars to allow the district to proceed with the roof and other urgent work now while leaving funds to continue planning the larger septic project.

The board moved and seconded the capital-improvement resolution as presented and the chair announced the motion passed. Members recorded at least one abstention during the tally.

Next steps include finalizing contracts for the roof project to begin in July or August, pursuing design work for the septic system for summer execution next year, and returning to the board with firm contract terms and financing details.