Architects tell Todd County board high-school needs total about $10 million; trustees weigh phased repairs vs. new building
Summary
Architects reported a November 2024 needs assessment estimating about $10,000,000 in mechanical, electrical and safety upgrades at the high school and recommended a master plan and phased work; trustees discussed contingency, timelines and the option to build new.
Todd County School District 66-1 trustees heard a presentation Jan. 26 from architects and engineers who summarized a November 2024 needs assessment for the district high school and placed a high-level cost estimate at approximately $10,000,000 for the identified repairs and upgrades.
The assessment team — Jared Palmos and Kelsey Timmer of e Architecture and Design and Shane Tucker and Scott Shearer of Skyline Engineering — told the board that the largest portion of the cost is driven by mechanical and electrical systems. "We did put numbers to the items found in there and it was approximately $10,000,000," Palmos said, adding that the figure covers building envelope, interior upgrades, ADA work and major MEP systems. The team recommended converting the building's primary fuel source from fuel oil to propane and replacing key equipment as part of that work. "Our recommendation, is to convert the primary fuel source to propane," Palmos said.
Why it matters: the presenters said missing or incomplete fire-sprinkler coverage, aging boilers, outdated HVAC and electrical systems and asbestos-containing finishes create both safety and long-term cost concerns. "The boilers are 6 going on 62 years old," one presenter said, noting the mechanical room is dated and failures would become more frequent as equipment ages.
Details of the proposal: engineers advised that a full sprinkling system will likely require upsizing the main line currently routed through a crawlspace (reported as a 4-inch main now, with a 6-inch main likely required and possibly an 8-inch main depending on available pressure). The team also recommended replacing two large hot-water storage tanks with multiple high-efficiency water heaters and flagged a sewage ejector area that may need over-excavation and a concrete pad for reliable operation.
Timing and cost risk: presenters urged the board to plan for contingencies and phasing if the district intends to keep the building occupied during work. They recommended budgeting for unforeseen conditions — citing a typical contingency range — and said phasing construction to allow occupancy can add to total cost. Palmos recommended a master plan if the district wants the building to serve the community for the next two to three decades rather than pursuing piecemeal repairs. The presenters noted a buried fuel oil tank that likely will require removal; they said a state program may remove such tanks at no cost to the school district and suggested that related work should be completed to ensure systems are operating by about September 2027.
Board discussion and options: trustees asked whether to pursue targeted upgrades (the assessment items plus a short wish list), a longer-term modernization through a master plan, or a new build. One trustee argued a new building could be more cost-effective in the long run, saying remodels can become more expensive than replacement; presenters cautioned that a new school would still take multiple years to deliver and that some immediate repairs would remain necessary while a new campus is built.
Votes at a glance: the board conducted routine business during the same meeting. The agenda for Jan. 26, 2026, was adopted (motion by Chris; second by Mark; vote announced 5-0). The consent agenda was approved following a disclosed recusal. The board approved recommended appointments to the Title 6 Parent Advisory Committee (Lee Marshall, Kyle Homan, Barb Silva and Katie Reynolds). The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn at about 06:20.
What’s next: trustees asked the architects to prepare prioritized lists and cost comparisons and scheduled a follow-up facilities working session to refine phasing, schedule and budget before decisions on whether to pursue targeted upgrades, a master plan or new construction.
Sources: presentation and discussion with Jared Palmos (e Architecture and Design), Kelsey Timmer (e Architecture and Design), Shane Tucker (Skyline Engineering) and Scott Shearer (Skyline Engineering) during the Todd County School District 66-1 Board of Education meeting, Jan. 26, 2026.
