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Big Spring SD details summer maintenance, plans boiler conversion and TV studio remodel
Summary
Business manager Christy Lens reported on summer work including tankless hot‑water replacement at Oak Flat, brick repointing at two schools, a middle‑school oil‑to‑propane boiler conversion, security‑camera upgrades and a high‑school TV studio remodel; projects funded mostly from the general fund assigned for capital projects and one school‑safety grant.
Christy Lens, the district business manager, told the board the district focused on smaller capital and maintenance projects over the summer to keep buildings functional and safe as students return. She said the district replaced the hot‑water heater at Oak Flat Elementary (vendor: Lobar Associates) and funded the work from the general fund assigned for capital projects. "We used to have to pay an outside vendor to complete inspections and maintenance. So that cost goes away," Lens said, noting the district expects follow‑up upgrades at Newville in a later budget year.
Lens described brick repointing that began Aug. 5 at the middle school and Mount Rock Elementary and said crews will prioritize noisier areas when students are not present. She said the middle‑school boiler is in planning with McClure and will be converted from oil to propane in stages so the district stays eligible for grant funding. "We're removing the oil tank, decommissioning that, adding two to the existing two, running new line, putting new boilers," Lens said in response to board questions about trenching versus line boring.
The presentation covered technology and cafeteria projects: AV Solutions upgraded sound systems at Oak Flat and worked on middle‑school lighting controls (some power supplies remain to be installed), the district is replacing security cameras and upgraded district‑office cabling to Cat‑6 (vendor: Curbte). Lens also outlined a TV studio remodel at the high school with equipment installation and staff training scheduled for mid‑August, and said intercom speaker replacements were paid from a 25/26 Pennsylvania School Safety and Security grant. "Equipment installation is scheduled for this week, August 17th. Training for teachers will be on August 21st," she said.
Board members asked about sequencing, savings and whether trenching would be required for boiler service lines. Lens answered that two additional underground tanks will be added alongside existing tanks and lines will be connected as part of the conversion. The projects largely drew board gratitude: members thanked custodial and maintenance crews for deep cleaning and grounds work that the district said prepared buildings for the new school year.
What’s next: the board asked for follow‑up details on cost mitigation for recurring brick damage and for a clearer timeline and budget breakdown for remaining work that will be returned to the board for future approval.
