Board awards Minooka Junior High chiller replacement contract totaling $848,029

The Minooka CCSD 201 Board of Education voted to award the Minooka Junior High chiller replacement contract to Effie Moran, approving a total project cost of $848,029.

Mrs. Robinson (S7), who presented the project results to the board, said the district received six bids and recommended selecting the lowest bidder. "We estimated the project at 800,000," Robinson said, and recommended accepting Effie Moran's base bid of "$620,733" plus an alternate air-handler bid of "$227,296," bringing the total to "$848,029." She told the board the project is covered by life-safety funds already approved through the Illinois State Board of Education and supplemented by a $50,000 Illinois state maintenance grant.

Board members asked about the project's ability to address continuing temperature-control issues and the project timeline. Committee member S3 raised concerns about whether this work, in combination with earlier classroom-unit work, would prevent recurring temperature problems; Robinson said the chiller is the major piece of equipment affecting building cooling and that other air handlers beyond their lifespan will be scheduled for replacement in future work, with additional items expected to arise around summer 2027. Committee member S6 asked about completion timing; Robinson said the work is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026 and that the district planned to order equipment promptly because of lead times.

After discussion, S3 moved to approve the MJHS chiller replacement as presented; S7 seconded. A roll call recorded aye votes and the motion carried.

The board recorded the award and will move forward with contract execution and equipment procurement. Project management will involve the architects the district identified to manage the construction process.