Board approves $500,000 Otis contract after hearing district has 148 elevators, aging equipment

The Saint Louis Board of Education voted to approve a $500,000 contract with Otis Elevator for inspections and maintenance of the district’s elevators after board members discussed the age and condition of equipment across district schools.

Chief Watson told the board the district has 148 elevators serving schools, “a 104 a 134 of those are operational. We have 3 that are out of service,” and the remainder either need repairs or are obsolete. Chief Watson said parts are increasingly difficult to source for older units and staff are working on proposals for needed repairs.

Board member Heights and others pressed for clarity on replacement costs and whether bringing a building up to current codes would increase expenses. A facilities staff member told the board that individual repairs range “from a range of $10,000 to $50,000” per unit, and that full replacement can require architects and engineers and may trigger code upgrades that raise costs.

Board member Morrison said the item represents a substantial district expenditure and moved to approve the Otis contract so the district could stabilize inspections and routine repairs while further planning for replacements continues. Staff clarified that the contract covers minor repairs and inspections but “does not cover the obsolescence” of equipment that needs full replacement.

Members also emphasized compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as a priority for the district when elevators are out of service. After the discussion the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.

The board directed staff to provide a building-by-building proposal outlining replacement costs and next steps, and to identify potential funding sources, including contingency funds or Prop S allocations, to address full replacements that fall outside the Otis contract.