CSRS updates Tangipahoa Parish board on school projects, Power BI access and bidding rules
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Summary
CSRS project managers updated the Capital Outlay Committee on multiple school projects — including HVAC work, track resurfacing, roofs and an auditorium — noted schematic design due dates and offered Power BI access for ongoing updates; staff said work estimated above $250,000 must go to public bid under Louisiana law.
CSRS project managers briefed the Tangipahoa Parish Capital Outlay Committee on the status of multiple phase 2 school projects and tools for ongoing updates.
Michael Johnson, introduced as an architect with CSRS, described a project packet and a Power BI app that board members can use to view photos and status updates on the go. He said staff had prepared a step‑by‑step video and could set up one-on-one help for members who experienced login errors. "If you type in Power BI in your App Store... you can also access it there," Johnson said, offering to show the app on his phone and to resend links.
Board members asked whether the two projects shown early in the packet had already been awarded to a firm called Sharkey. CSRS staff clarified the projects were not yet awarded and "they will be awarded once court approves them," a staff member said. There was additional clarification about the emergency contractor order: Mark's Electric handles maintenance-level work, Randy DePaul ranks second on the emergency list, and Sharkey was discussed as a bidder for specific emergency electrical projects.
Members discussed track resurfacing projects (including Ponchatoula, Sumner and Hammond). Staff said surveys and programming will define timelines; the architect recommended tying three track projects to a single design schedule but noted the board could split them. Members expressed concern about timing so athletic seasons are not disrupted. The presenter also said quotes collected for track work were all above the $250,000 threshold, noting, "Anything over $250,000 by Louisiana state law, we have to put it out for public bid." That requirement means formally engaging architects and moving to the public bid process for those projects.
Project status highlights included: estimated startup for HVAC units at Ponchatoula Junior High in March and substantial completion around May 2025; Hammond High startup pushed to January–early February due to contractor setbacks; Woodland Park ahead of schedule with expected substantial completion around mid-March; Kentwood High roof entering punch-list review; Laurentia High girls' locker room in final phases; LaRonge Auditorium in construction documents; and the Advanced College Career Center phase 2 gym build-out entering construction documents ahead of planned January bid advertising.
Staff said schematic design submissions for certain projects are due in December, with the board expected to receive schematic drawings on 12/16 for review. CSRS offered to continue one-on-one support to board members for Power BI access and to circulate construction documents and PDFs upon request.
The committee adjourned after the updates.
