Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District finds recurring HVAC and BMS failures; BMS upgrades and repairs carry six-figure price tags
Summary
Administrators reported widespread HVAC control failures discovered while upgrading the building management system (BMS), estimated BMS replacement costs near $190,000–$200,000 per school, and said the elementary-school generator will power critical systems (about 65–70%) when wired next week.
Facilities staff told the Business and Planning Subcommittee that while upgrading thermostatic and building management controls, technicians discovered rotted actuator motors, corroded valves and failed control components across buildings.
"We're finding new motors with old outs, old new valves with old motors," Don said, and described the discovery as elevating the priority of multiple repairs. He said the vendor will walk through systems with the schools when buildings are empty and provide firm cost estimates by the week after New Year’s.
The district explained that replacing or modernizing a school’s BMS is a significant expense; presenters cited figures in the range of $190,000–$200,000 per school for full replacement. Staff said a districtwide, single-brand BMS would permit remote monitoring and receive alerts (texts/emails) for failures such as boiler pumps, generator starts, or refrigeration temperature excursions.
On emergency power, Don said the elementary-school generator is installed and will be wired imminently; it is expected to power approximately 65–70% of the building (heat, pumps, kitchen and communications) but not the full facility for multi-day operation.
Facilities also described a high-school air-handler with limited physical removal options that has inflated replacement costs. Staff plan to test an in-place component-swap on Monday that could save an estimated $50,000–$75,000 compared with full unit replacement.
Board members pressed for clearer cost estimates, vendor procurement rules and assurance that the district avoids proprietary lock-in for critical systems. Staff said they will seek unified specifications (nonproprietary where possible), provide estimates from the vendor, and return with prioritized recommendations for the capital plan.
Next steps: vendor walkthroughs of buildings, a written estimate of repair and replacement costs, and further discussion of capital prioritization; no formal procurement or appropriation decisions were made at the meeting.
