Dunlap board hears higher-than-expected bids to replace aging HVAC units and boilers; capital fund possible payer
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Summary
Trustees were told bids for high-school and Hickory Grove boiler and rooftop-unit replacements returned above staff’s initial estimate; staff recommended prioritizing boilers for safety and discussed using capital projects or school facility sales-tax funds to pay for work.
District staff presented bid results and a replacement plan for aging rooftop units and boilers that serve several school buildings, telling the board that some equipment dates to the late 1990s and is nearing end of life. The high school’s junior-wing boiler has been operating without full redundancy, putting stress on remaining units, and Hickory Grove requires piping improvements after prior work.
Staff said initial internal estimates for the work were roughly $500,000 but that competitive contract bids returned higher than that figure and include contingencies for possible electrical upgrades or additional piping work. "If I hadn't, we absolutely in my opinion, we have to do the boilers," a staff presenter said, emphasizing the boilers’ priority for reliability.
Funding options discussed included using the capital projects fund and proceeds from the school-facility sales tax; staff said the capital fund has been resilient in recent years and could be used for the work. Trustees asked for a five-year capital plan to prioritize projects and to ensure new installations avoid earlier piping or installation mistakes.
Staff said the work is being bid in packages to avoid replacing every unit simultaneously and to shorten lead times; they described supply-chain risks and recommended executing the most urgent boiler work first to avoid failures during the school year. No contract award occurred at the meeting; staff signaled they will return with details and timing for summer work.
Ending: Board requested a multi-year capital-prioritization plan and warranty/installation assurances before awarding contracts; staff aims to begin summer replacements subject to supply and scheduling.