USD 4 board hears two‑phase elementary HVAC plan; district says total cost should stay under $6 million
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Summary
District projects presenter described a two‑summer HVAC replacement for the elementary school with a construction estimate of about $5.3 million and an operating budget window of $6 million including fees and contingencies; the board plans to consider a GMP in February.
Mister Loomis, the district projects presenter, laid out a two‑phase plan to replace heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning equipment at the elementary school and offered preliminary construction estimates on Dec. 8.
“Phase 1 of this project will be to tackle that section of the building … the classroom wing,” Loomis said, explaining the district plans to replace VRF units for classrooms during summer 2026 and address administrative, music and support spaces in summer 2027 (SEG 138-156; 154-161). He said Universal Construction’s estimate for the two phases is about $5,300,000 and that “we are really, really comfortable that we are going to be $6,000,000 or under total on this project” once architectural fees, inspections and contingencies are included (SEG 176-181; 215-216).
Loomis told trustees design drawings were expected to be finished the week of Dec. 12, with bid solicitations in January and a recommended Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) to come before the board on Feb. 9 if the schedule holds (SEG 248-256; 261-266). He described the $5.3 million estimate as an early construction estimate rather than a bidded contract and said the district would move to construction documents and a formal GMP process before awarding contracts (SEG 198-206; 261-266).
Board members pressed on contract details, warranties and commissioning. Loomis said standard equipment warranties are typically one year and that longer warranties (similar to a recent middle‑school purchase) remain an option to buy; he also said commissioning costs were likely included in the estimates but that staff would verify in the construction documents (SEG 282-287; 316-324). Loomis said Universal had included contingency in its estimate and the district planned to reserve additional contingency in the GMP process if necessary (SEG 345-356; 357-366).
While describing the HVAC work, Loomis also raised an optional ad‑alternate to upgrade classroom lighting to LED fixtures, noting Evergy rebates could cover a significant portion of costs. He estimated the LED upgrade would cost roughly $600,000 and said it could be bid as an add‑alternate or included in the GMP if the board chooses (SEG 465-467; 482-486).
The board did not vote on the project at the meeting; trustees were told a formal GMP and contract approval would be scheduled in February.