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Facilities and transportation updates: roof, boilers, solar contract, and transportation needs reviewed
Summary
The board’s Facilities & Transportation Committee reviewed ongoing and potential projects including Preakness interior and elevator work, a Wayne Hills domestic hot‑water replacement (contract awarded to Magic Touch), roof and boiler concerns, aging HVAC and paging systems, an expiring solar agreement, and transportation fleet constraints.
During the March 5 work session the Facilities & Transportation Committee reported a range of capital and maintenance issues requiring attention and potential funding.
A committee member summarized meeting outcomes from February 19, noting projects such as interior alterations and an elevator lobby addition at Preakness, a domestic hot‑water replacement at Wayne Hills (contract awarded to Magic Touch), partial roof replacement work at Tunis Drive, multiple leaks caused by recent freeze and ice damming, and mold testing that returned acceptable results. The committee also flagged a number of aging boilers (some over 50 years old) and temporary heating at Randall Carter gym.
The committee discussed upcoming choices tied to an expiring solar contract scheduled to sunset in June; members said removal of panels could create roofing needs. On food service the committee reviewed potential new kitchen equipment and hydration stations. The report also covered grant activity (resubmitting for the SVPPCOPS grant and considering a DCA local recreation improvement grant) and recruitment for a facilities position.
On transportation, the committee noted vendor changes for DOT‑mandated drug testing, discussed parental requests to review routes, and emphasized a growing capital need for bus replacement. The committee estimated the fleet exceeds 98 buses and suggested replacing about seven buses per year but said budget constraints make that difficult.
Committee members recommended further planning and noted the district may need to increase reliance on lease‑purchase agreements for essential equipment, citing previous use to finance Chromebooks, staff laptops, buses and maintenance vehicles.
The committee report was informational; no formal capital appropriation vote was taken at the March 5 meeting. The board will consider facility and transportation funding in the context of the 2026–27 budget process.
