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Okemos administration asks board to add up to $300,000 to Bid Pack 8 to replace aging kitchen walk-in cooler/freezer
Summary
Superintendent Hood requested a not-to-exceed $300,000 amendment to Bid Pack 8 to replace a failing walk-in cooler/freezer at Okemos High School, citing insulation failure, moisture risking mold, and lack of manufacturer parts; administration recommended signing a GMP amendment at the next meeting and said funding trade-offs will be detailed in March.
Superintendent Hood told trustees the district discovered moisture behind the Okemos High School kitchen walk-in cooler/freezer during planning for summer 2026 kitchen renovations and recommended adding scope to Bid Pack 8 to replace the aging unit and remediate the adjacent cinder-block wall and flooring.
Hood said the cooler/freezer continues to function, but the insulation is deteriorating and the manufacturer no longer supplies parts for the original unit. "The ask here is to add additional scope to Bid Pack 8 ... a not to exceed $300,000 increase," Hood said. Administration said the cost would cover the replacement unit and the work needed to repair the back wall and floor.
District operations staff and the food-service director explained that federal/state spend-down funds already are allocated and approved by the Michigan Department of Education for other equipment and therefore are not immediately available to absorb the unexpected cost. An operations official said the spend-down funds have already been programmed for other approved purchases.
Administration recommended the board authorize Hood to sign a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendment up to the $300,000 cap at the next meeting, with a March update showing remaining bond funds and priorities. Officials noted approving this request will reduce available bond contingency for other projects and said they will present a full update on Bit Packs when Cornell bid pricing is received.
No final vote on the amendment was taken at this meeting.
