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Board approves emergency chiller repairs and water-treatment work at Moore Haven Middle-High
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Summary
Faced with repeated chiller failures, the board approved an emergency repair by BNI (around $10,000) and added water-treatment work (Culligan) for an amended total of about $18,414 to get equipment through the summer and reduce scaling that staff said is damaging units.
The Glades County School Board approved emergency repairs to HVAC chillers at Moore Haven Middle‑High School and an accompanying water‑treatment fix after maintenance staff reported multiple shutdowns and vendor estimates that suggested significant cost for overhauls or replacements.
Maintenance staff (speaker 3) described three recent shutdowns and vendor quotes: an overhaul priced at about $120,000 per unit and replacement estimates near $250,000 per unit. Staff recommended an interim emergency repair by BNI at a little over $10,000 to keep systems running through summer, and asked for additional work on the water‑treatment system (Culligan) for about $8,000 to address scale buildup in the chillers.
Staff said sampling showed the chiller feed water was not being filtered because a previous filter system had been bypassed; presenters said scale in the plumbing and internal components was likely stressing the units. The board amended the emergency motion to include both the BNI repair and the Culligan water work for an approximate total of $18,414, directed staff to obtain the vendor invoice(s), and voted to approve the amended emergency action using capital outlay funds.
Board members questioned whether previously installed equipment had been left disconnected and expressed frustration about past maintenance decisions; staff said capital balances were sufficient but that long‑term replacement (estimated near $500,000 for two new units) remains a future capital need. The motion authorized the emergency repair and the water‑treatment work; staff said they would provide invoices and pursue required procurement steps.
