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Poway Unified outlines VAPA upgrades and revised chiller approach; trustees seek more cost detail
Summary
Facilities staff said three high‑school VAPA projects are complete, reported about $96,000 remaining of a $3.9M VAPA allocation, and described a revised chiller plan that shifts some buildings to rooftop units. Trustees pressed on timelines, prior spending and the $10M board reserve for the chiller project.
District facilities staff gave an expanded update on summer projects, arts (VAPA) upgrades and the Bernardo Heights/Rancho Bernardo chiller plant work.
Jessica Kimbrell, director of facilities design and construction, reviewed the VAPA rollout that the board previously authorized at approximately $3.9 million. "Three of the high schools—Del Norte, Rancho and Westview—are complete and are in warranty," she said. Staff reported $96,000 remained unspent within the VAPA allocation and said some funds were used to buy instruments and supplies district‑wide.
On the RB/Bernardo Heights chiller project, staff described how repeated underground failures and permitting constraints prompted a reframed approach: rather than replace the entire chiller plant like‑for‑like, the district plans to maintain the RB plant while converting several Bernardo Heights buildings to rooftop package units to reduce piping scope and structural impacts.
Facilities staff said the board previously authorized $10 million from reserves for the overall chiller program; they reported about $6.5 million of that authorization remained. Trustees pressed for clarity on how much had already been spent on design, rentals and temporary repairs; staff said costs to date included design work, rented chillers and repairs and estimated rental chiller costs last year at roughly $130,000–$150,000 for the rental period.
Ruben Aras, director of facilities maintenance, said targeted summer projects include safety surfacing, gym and dance‑floor work, targeted plumbing, HVAC control replacements and support‑needs classroom conversions at Black Mountain and Meadowbrook.
What’s next: Staff said construction mobilization would begin in early June with phased work through the summer and that the board will see a more detailed financing plan when phase‑2 DSA approvals and contractor cost estimates are available.
