DeKalb board approves Cross Keys modernization, signs off on major HVAC and device contracts

The DeKalb County Board of Education approved a slate of construction and purchasing measures March 10, voting to authorize a final guaranteed maximum price for the Cross Keys High School modernization, to move forward on HVAC replacement work at the International Student Center and to expand rental and procurement limits for temporary air‑conditioning and instructional devices.

The board approved the Cross Keys GMP — the item presented as E3E5 — by a 6‑to‑1 vote after lengthy discussion about contingency funding and the source of SPLOST and local capital dollars. Chair Deirdre P. Pierce said the project is the result of “years of planning and community input” and framed the vote as completing work already begun, including site utilities and early construction releases. Superintendent Devon Q. Horton told the board the district must finish projects that are already under way or risk leaving “big holes in the ground” where work has started.

Board members asked multiple budget and procurement questions before the votes. Operations staff explained they had used a piggyback procurement and cooperative contracts to speed preventive HVAC maintenance and filter replacement (item 3A4) and sought an expanded “not to exceed” amount for portable air‑conditioning rentals (item 3B1) to cover emergency demands while aging systems are replaced. Operations director staff said the rental contracts act as short‑term insurance for classrooms when large HVAC systems fail and that the district is simultaneously hiring staff and expanding preventive maintenance to reduce reliance on temporary rentals in future years.

Information technology presented a four‑year device refresh (ITB 25‑599) to replace student and staff devices on a 4‑year cycle, with a not‑to‑exceed purchase amount of about $49.1 million (SpIOSS/ECF funding). IT director Dr. Belcher told the board devices would be delivered over the summer and ready for students in August; he also said the district has an RFP out for repairs and device insurance to centralize warranty and repairs and to limit loss and downtime. Board members pressed for a detailed plan for device accountability, noting past losses and asking for coverage that would avoid out‑of‑pocket charges for families.

The International Student Center HVAC replacement and renovations (final GMP) also passed after staff told the board the work is scheduled for this summer; operations warned delays would push the project into next year and likely increase costs. Several board members asked that additional capital items be paused or come back for more detailed financial analysis; a number of high‑cost items were pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion or additional documentation prior to final approval.

Votes and next steps: the board approved the bulk of operations’ recommendations on March 10 and moved several high‑cost capital items forward. Several projects and budget reallocations were pulled for additional review and will return to the board for later consideration. Operations staff said they will continue to report detailed commitments from SPLOST and local capital funds and to present revised contingency planning at future meetings.

What the vote means: the Cross Keys GMP and International Student Center work authorize contractors to proceed with heavy construction this summer; expanded temporary‑unit contracts and the device refresh are intended to limit classroom disruption while the district ramp‑ups long‑term capital replacements. Staff emphasized the district’s simultaneous push on preventive maintenance and hiring technical staff as the long‑term strategy to reduce emergency rentals and recurring temporary fixes.

The board adjourned after approving personnel recommendations and legal settlements. The items approved March 10 will be publicly posted with contract documents and updated project schedules on the district’s capital improvement pages.