School board approves up to $2.2 million for phased roofing projects after facilities review

The Hardee County School Board voted May 14 to authorize the superintendent to use capital outlay funds for phased roofing projects in an amount not to exceed $2,200,000, prioritizing Huachula Elementary’s main and fifth-grade buildings, adding an alternate for the Bobcat Den and funding a structural assessment for North Huachula Elementary.

Superintendent Bennett framed three options for the board and recommended a phased approach that would tap reserves while preserving flexibility. "The total cost would be 2,237,634. I've asked you to approve 2.2," she told the board, adding that the administration expects to find some savings and will return with updated bid information and priorities.

Facilities assessor Mr. Gale, who inspected multiple campuses after the board’s recent workshop, described the field house as in "failed condition" with multiple leaks and estimated a shingle-roof replacement at about $70,000–$75,000. He recommended prioritizing classroom roofs and said routine service or limited repairs could extend some roofs’ lives. "12 to $15,000 will buy you a couple of years there," Gale said about targeted short-term repairs on a specific low-risk roof.

Board questions focused on how the district would cover shortfalls and how saved funds would be reallocated if bids came in under estimate. Bennett said the administration had identified roughly $1,791,660 already allocated toward North Huachula roofing and that the phased plan would use reserves while allowing the board to revisit priorities as updated contractor quotes and a structural assessment (estimated $30,000–$40,000) become available.

The motion — to utilize capital outlay funds for phased roofing projects in an amount not to exceed $2,200,000, with priority 1 projects focused on Huachula Elementary School main and fifth-grade buildings, add alternate Bobcat Den, and structural assessment services for North Huachula — was moved and carried by voice vote.

The administration said it will return with itemized next steps, monthly updates from the facilities assessor and final bid pricing before authorizing further work. That update will inform whether additional campus roofs (such as the field house or federal programs building) are addressed later using next year’s capital outlay allocations or other funding mechanisms.

The vote followed a workshop and a detailed briefing intended to limit surprise cost exposures and preserve capital outlay reserves for future needs.