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Board reallocates plant-levy funds to replace Lakeland High boiler and repair Timberlake track pit
Summary
Trustees approved reallocation of plant-facility levy funds to pay for a replacement high-efficiency dual boiler at Lakeland High (requested $162,000) and track-pit repairs at Timberlake High (requested $40,000), citing emergent system failures and underspent line items elsewhere in the levy fund.
Lakeland Joint School District board meeting (May 2026) — Trustees approved a reallocation of plant-facility levy funds to address emergent facility needs after the levy failed, voting to authorize funding for a Lakeland High School boiler replacement and Timberlake High School track-pit repairs.
Jessica Grant, the district’s chief finance officer, told trustees the district had identified funds from projects that came in under budget and recommended reallocating roughly $162,000 to replace Lakeland High’s end-of-life boiler and $40,000 to repair the Timberlake long-jump/triple-jump pit. "So we're asking for 162,000 for the Lakeland High School boiler and 40,000 for the Timberlake High School track pits replacement," Grant said.
Facilities Director Tim Hague described the boiler as having "reached its life expectancy" and said the recommended replacement is a high-efficiency dual-boiler system configured to run in parallel for load balance and longevity. Hague said the track pit has degraded to the point that "they are not going to be able to run on it next year at all" unless repaired; staff described the repair as a permanent fix, not a temporary band-aid.
Staff explained the district could achieve cost savings by purchasing equipment directly from manufacturers and using local contractors for installation — an approach used on other modernization work — and noted warranty and labor coverage would be comparable to previous projects. Trustees questioned procurement timing (work on modernization starts June 8) and whether the work should be added to the modernization contract via change order; staff said that would be possible but could delay the repairs, and recommended proceeding with the reallocation to enable timely work.
The board approved the reallocation and replacement motion by voice vote. Trustees also asked staff to seek additional quotes for the track repair and to provide comparisons between doing the work in-house versus under the larger modernization contract.
Why it matters: The approved reallocation funds urgent safety and building-function repairs for two high schools, affecting students’ learning environments and athletic participation. The decision also reflects trade-offs after a plant-facility levy failed and underscores the board’s ongoing prioritization of emergent building needs.
What’s next: Staff will pursue procurement steps, solicit additional track bids, and return to the board with any contract amendments or follow-up approvals required for implementation.
