Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District staff seek board OK to proceed on freezer repairs, tank cleaning and E‑rate network upgrade
Summary
Operations staff told the board they have bids/quotes for a failing high‑school walk‑in freezer, recommended professional diesel tank cleaning (about $10,000) after a pump failure revealed sludge, and proposed an E‑rate‑funded layer‑3 core switch project with an estimated district share of about $8,000.
Operations and transportation staff updated the Whitehall‑Coplay School District board March 9 on three capital items: a failing high‑school walk‑in refrigeration unit, a recommended professional cleaning of a diesel fuel tank after sludge was found, and a proposed E‑rate‑funded network core upgrade.
On the refrigeration unit, staff said the unit and roof‑mounted refrigeration equipment are failing and the project is tied to the federal school food service program. Bids and legal checks have been completed and staff said they will return the project to the board for formal action in April or May to comply with the program’s procurement requirements.
On transportation, Mr. Dillard reported a fuel pump failure that exposed sludge and algae inside the diesel tank. He told the committee a temporary workaround raised the pump intake to avoid pulling sludge, but recommended professional cleaning of the tank to restore full capacity and protect new dispensers scheduled for summer replacement. Mr. Dillard said the cleaning quotes under review are approximately $10,000 and that staff will solicit firm bids. When asked about replacement versus cleaning, staff said a new 5,000‑gallon tank can cost substantially more once excavation and site work are considered; they identified the current tank as fiberglass and roughly 9,000 gallons.
On technology, Mr. Weer outlined the district’s plan to use E‑rate funding (Schools and Libraries Universal Service) for a layer‑3 core switch in the high school and a stadium/press‑box switch. After a mini‑bid, staff recommended an intent‑to‑award to Integra One for Cisco equipment at $53,753 total. Under E‑rate the eligible portion would cover about 85% of the equipment cost and the district’s responsible share was estimated at roughly $8,000 (15%), with some warranty items appearing as ineligible costs. Mr. Weer asked the committee to authorize signing an intent‑to‑award letter so staff can begin E‑rate paperwork and request official vendor quotations for the March board meeting.
Board members asked whether an access point could be added for the stadium snack stand to support payment systems; staff said they would consult the E‑rate consultant about whether the snack stand could be labeled as an educational location or whether eligibility differs for stadium facilities and would report back.
Quotations and formal approvals: Staff will return with firm bids/quotes and the recommended contract for board approval at the March meeting or at the next appropriate board session.
