Board delays closeout on High School North HVAC work after repeated unit alarms; boiler replacements planned

Toms River Regional School District facilities staff told the board during its Buildings & Grounds meeting that several univent (Nesbit) units at High School North are "going into alarm almost daily," disrupting operations and requiring daily resets by school staff.

Facilities staff described a multi-party troubleshooting process with the manufacturer and contractors, saying documentation from vendors has been slow to arrive. The district will not accept final closeout on the security/ESIP-related contract until the alarm issue is resolved. Facilities said they will escalate the issue in writing: "we're gonna have Mr Burns fire off a letter to the manufacturer ... to shake them up." (Facilities staff / Mr Burns)

Separately, administrators reported multiple capital projects in active phases with paperwork under review (sites 186A and 188). A boiler replacement at Intermediate North was identified as a near-term priority; staff said environmental remediation (old insulation) will be required and that the ideal construction window would be summer 2025 into the 2025–26 school year pending final budgeting and contracting.

The facilities report also covered routine maintenance and small repairs: a grant-funded playground at South Toms River Elementary was installed, the grounds crew spread approximately 900 cubic yards of mulch over the summer, a revolving door at JBAC was replaced, and an insurance claim/police report was pending for an overhang damaged when a vendor vehicle struck Beachwood’s kitchen overhang.

Board members asked for continued updates on the univent alarms, the status of contract closeout, and projected timelines and budgets for the boiler project.

The district also noted an inquiry from a solar developer about leasing land for solar farms, which staff will circulate for board review.