Chiller delay leaves parts of La Crescent‑Hokah high school without active cooling until November

District staff told the board that mechanical cooling at the high school will be limited until a permanently installed chiller arrives, currently scheduled for installation in November. Staff explained that renting the two chillers needed to provide full cooling for the building would have cost the district tens of thousands of dollars for a short-term need — estimates discussed in the meeting ranged from about $60,000 to $120,000 — so the district elected to manage without rented chillers and to sequence work to minimize disruption.

Construction updates reported strong progress: most contractor units are running, nearly all tile installation is complete, and a crane lift to set the kitchen chiller is scheduled for early Monday with work expected to be substantially complete later that day. Staff said some locker‑room dampers remain on backorder, leaving some ductwork and diffusers exposed until parts arrive; they expect most classroom tile and finishing work to be complete by Friday or the following week.

High school administrators warned families and staff to expect large daytime temperature swings while systems are rebalanced — staff said temperatures could rise from the mid‑60s in the morning to the mid‑80s in some areas during the day, and that cooling availability will vary by part of the building. The board was advised that contractors will stage noisy or disruptive work to avoid interfering with classes and bus operations.

No formal vote was associated with the facilities update; staff requested that board members field community questions about the gym and construction schedule. Follow‑up items include confirming the chiller installation date and notifying families about spaces that will lack active cooling until the new equipment is in service.