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Facilities director outlines HVAC, roofing and asbestos testing work at Stewart Street and Havana Magnet
Summary
The district's facilities presenter reported ongoing HVAC renovations at Stewart Street Elementary, two HVAC units arriving for Havana Magnet during the Christmas break, door replacements at the high school and periodic asbestos/abatement testing arranged with Southern Earth Sciences; some small abatement tasks fell below the $15,000 board threshold.
Mister Hudson, the district's facilities presenter at the Dec. 5 meeting, told the Gadsden School Board the district is continuing HVAC renovations and preventive maintenance aimed at improving air quality and addressing deferred repairs.
"We are continuing to try to provide adequate air quality for our students," Hudson said, describing cold-weather startup problems on some dormant HVAC equipment and same-day responses to facilities calls. He said two HVAC units for Havana Magnet have arrived and are scheduled for installation during the Christmas break so the building is ready when classes resume.
Hudson said several exterior doors at the high school, including hurricane-rated units, must be replaced because the hardware is outdated and cannot be repaired. He added that MLD Architects is on schedule for an initial walkthrough to advance planned capital work.
On hazardous-materials monitoring, Hudson said the district has contracted with Southern Earth Sciences to conduct asbestos/abatement testing and that the firm's site visits were not included in the initial vendor price. He said some testing work has proceeded at amounts below a $15,000 threshold that would require board action, citing an emergency $1,500 callout at one site.
Hudson also shared a low-cost interim solution for a stage curtain at Havana Magnet made from super king-size sheets while a commercial, fire-rated curtain is arranged by a vendor.
The board asked clarifying questions about funding sources for repairs, and Hudson said recovered insurance or FEMA funds are generally earmarked for the facilities that sustained the damage and that those funds are not freely reallocable without following the intended use. No formal board action was taken.
Next steps: complete the Stewart Street ceiling/lighting work, proceed with door replacements and continue the MLD Architects process; staff said they will bring items exceeding procurement thresholds to the board as required.
