Edinburg CISD facilities team flags ESSER HVAC deadline, priorities for 10 campuses

Joe Villareal, the district’s director for facilities, briefed trustees on HVAC projects the board authorized under ESSER and capital outlay funds. He said the Harwell Middle School chiller replacement is approximately 90% complete, with substantial completion expected next week, and that Memorial Middle School’s replacement is in schematic design with an estimated construction cost of about $450,000.

Villareal said 14 campuses received ESSER HVAC work and most are substantially complete except one that experienced a work stoppage; he emphasized a Feb. 28 liquidation drawdown deadline for those federal funds and told trustees contractors must finish punch lists, testing and commissioning to capture the money. The district identified 10 additional priority campuses requiring HVAC work and estimated needs of roughly $11.7 million to address them.

Trustees asked about contingency funding, the age of existing equipment, and phasing options. Villareal said earlier estimates for equipment alone were lower and that engineering/soft costs and potential unforeseen repairs were factored into current budget estimates. He said the maintenance department performs day‑to‑day repairs but major replacements will require additional funding sources or phased approaches.

Trustees directed staff to prioritize remaining ESSER punch‑list items and discussed convening a follow‑up meeting to sequence projects, identify funding and present a phased plan for board approval. No final procurement vote occurred at the meeting.