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USD 450 board approves HVAC, playground and turf contracts to keep bond projects on schedule
Summary
The USD 450 board approved contracts and owner‑representative services for high‑priority bond projects — HVAC rooftop replacements, playground equipment, turf installation and related owner‑rep services — and staff said orders and utility work will begin this summer to avoid schedule slippage.
The USD 450 Board of Education on Monday approved a set of contracts and owner‑representative services aimed at keeping several bond‑funded school improvement projects on schedule, including HVAC rooftop replacements at Shawnee Heights High School, new playground equipment and turf installations and related coordination services.
Tucker Pedicord, who led the bond update, told the board the district is "pushing for the pre‑engineered metal building purchase because it takes a long time to get those and we don't want to have a delay in the job because we haven't gotten that procured in time," stressing that long lead times make early procurement necessary to avoid missing a school year. Board members pressed for clarity on timing; Pedicord said crews would begin ordering long‑lead HVAC units immediately and that crews expect to have a "real shovel in the ground in September," with some summer work on playgrounds and HVAC components beginning earlier.
On HVAC, staff recommended and the board approved accepting the low bidder for the high‑school rooftop and condensing units; the district removed a cooling tower from the current package because its lead time risked delaying August completion. The board also approved contracting for owner‑representative services to manage the construction management‑agency delivery approach.
Playground work won similar approval. Whitney (project lead for playgrounds) described working through principals and physical‑therapy staff to prioritize accessibility, inclusive equipment and shade structures. She said bids included removal of old mulch, new turf, drainage and fencing, with painting handled under a separate small contract. The board approved awarding the playground equipment contract to Miracle, citing continuity of warranty and parts support: "If we have to move a piece of equipment...it doesn't cause a problem because they still warranty it," Whitney said.
The turf package — which includes earthwork, drainage and fencing — drew multiple bids; staff recommended a low, responsible bidder and noted scheduling was the critical constraint (summer labor availability). The board approved the turf contracts and an owner‑representative contract for the playground improvements to ensure coordination across vendors and schedules.
The aggregate approach reflects a district priority to "remove variables" and secure early wins while preserving schedule and budget, staff told the board. Voter‑approved bond funds will cover the projects; staff said bid results for HVAC and playgrounds came in within the planned budgets. The board approved the various contracts and owner‑rep agreements by recorded voice votes at the meeting. The district said staff will circulate detailed playground plans and renderings for principals and families before installation.
