Ball Chatham board awards $4.01 million HVAC contract for Ball Elementary

Ball Chatham CUSD 5’s board of education voted Jan. 28 to award a $4,007,500 base contract for Ball Elementary’s HVAC replacement to S.M. Wilson Co. of Edwardsville and approved three separate alternates covering additional mechanical work.

Facilities Director Jared Kester told the board the base bid covers roughly two-thirds of the building — classrooms, the library, the music and arts wing and the main office — and includes architectural and engineering fees plus a 5% contingency. "The base bid is $4,007,500," Kester said.

The administration presented three alternates so the district could control what is completed now and what might be deferred. Alternate 1 (classroom DOAs and makeup air) was priced at $394,200; Alternate 2 (cafeteria rooftop units and associated work) at $397,485; and Alternate 3 (HVAC for the south/special-education wing) at $312,075. Kester said the alternates allow flexibility on cost and logistics but warned that deferring some work could raise costs later.

Board discussion emphasized doing the project "right and once," rather than piecemeal repairs that have driven future costs. The administration said the bids, including alternates, came in near the budgeted amount and that funds are available for the project as presented. Kester said phase one is expected to begin during spring break of 2026 with a substantial completion date of July 31, 2026.

On a motion to approve the base bid and each alternate individually, the board approved the awards to S.M. Wilson Co. by voice vote. Ryan Murphy was not present at the meeting but, according to the record, expressed full support for the project for the record.

The board’s action authorizes the district to proceed with contracting and scheduling; the administration will follow up with project mobilization and further scheduling details with affected school staff and contractors.