District seeks PSFA help for HVAC at Grants High, approves classroom upgrades and $144,789.67 sidewalk contract

The Grants-Cibola County Schools superintendent updated the board on facilities and capital needs and the board approved a contracting action to repair damaged sidewalks at Laguna Acoma Junior/Senior High School.

Superintendent Weidner told the board that Grants High School (GHS) uses a 20-year-old water-based heating and cooling system and that one of the cooling towers stopped functioning this summer, producing hot classrooms. He said the district has applied to the Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA) for roughly $10.5 million to fund a new heating-and-air system for GHS and that the district’s share would be about $2.5 million. "We are going to do that," he said of the PSFA partnership, but noted PSFA funds cannot be used until the next funding cycle; in the meantime the district has leased a temporary cooling tower located by the football stadium to provide relief.

The superintendent also outlined a district-wide plan to upgrade elementary classroom furniture (grade-appropriate chairs and desks) and said the business office will produce a monthly income-and-expense sample and a capital fund-balance form to show how funds are being used.

Separately, the board approved a contract to repair and replace damaged sidewalks at Laguna Acoma High School in the amount of $144,789.67; the motion was moved and seconded and carried on a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The PSFA application and leased temporary equipment affect campus learning conditions and carry significant capital implications; the sidewalk contract is a near-term facilities improvement for student safety and access.

Next steps: If PSFA funding is awarded, the district will proceed with system replacement planning and schedule; the business office will provide requested monthly expense reporting to the board.