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District weighs generator sizing and grant strategy; board told smaller generator may suffice as base
Summary
Engineers outlined options to keep schools operational during outages, from targeted 3–4 hour emergency capacity to a full-day $5M solution; the board agreed to prioritize water pumps/tanks as the base project and to seek multiple grant opportunities (LSA and facilities grant) rather than commit to full-scale generator spending without firm awards.
Southern Columbia Area SD — Consultants told trustees that a full-day generator and service upgrade capable of powering all school systems would be costlier than a targeted approach sized to maintain essential services for several hours. The committee discussed tradeoffs and grant strategies.
"This is not a band aid project," one presenter told members, saying the district should plan for a 20‑ to 25‑year solution rather than a short-term fix. Engineers presented a range of options: a focused generator configuration that would allow an entire school day of operation for a limited set of circuits (presented in the ~$1.3M range depending on scope), or a more comprehensive solution that could approach $5M for larger capacity and longer autonomy.
Board members asked for a base project that staff would proceed on regardless of grant awards; that base project became the high-school booster pumps and water tanks. The committee also directed staff to pursue both LSA (up to $1M, no match) and larger public-school facilities grants (up to $5M with a 25% match) while refining priorities and packaging projects so they comply with program rules.
Next steps: staff will refine generator sizing options tied to prioritized grant applications and present a clear budget/priority list for the Sept. 15 meeting. The board emphasized that grant awards, not tonight's discussion, will determine final scope and timing for major electrical/generator investments.
