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Facilities committee defers Rice Elementary HVAC for 2026, will apply for ~ $760,000 state window grant
Summary
The facilities and security committee recommended not moving forward with the Rice Elementary HVAC/dehumidification project in 2026 because of bond funding constraints and equipment lead times; the district plans to apply for a roughly $760,000 Public School Facilities Improvement grant for window work at the high school.
The South Middleton facilities and security committee reported Feb. 3 findings to the full board on Feb. 17 and recommended delaying a Rice Elementary HVAC/dehumidification project for 2026 because of financial and scheduling concerns.
Committee chair Mister Decker said McClure Company presented options but the committee "decided not to move forward with the HVAC project at Rice for the '26" citing bond-balance constraints and long lead times for rooftop equipment. The committee discussed alternative ways to sequence work—seeking more competitive electrical and plumbing bids and rolling some scopes into the larger field-house project design to achieve efficiencies.
Decker said the committee plans to pursue additional electrical-service upgrades and toilet-room renovations (with EI providing drawings), address natatorium punch-list items and water ponding in locker rooms, and explore parking expansion adjacent to Yellow Reaches to add spaces.
The committee reported it will apply for the Public School Facilities Improvement grant window for a similar high-school window project; "I think it's in the amount about $760,000," the committee said, noting there is no guarantee the district will receive the funds.
Next steps: staff will solicit contractor pricing for the electrical work, ask EI for toilet renovation drawings, continue exploring field-house design options and submit the grant application.
