Four old rooftop air conditioning units might not make it through next summer, according to Flossmoor School District 161 administrators, who are asking the board to quickly approve more than a half-million dollars to replace them.
Scott Stachacz, Director of Buildings and Grounds, presented the recommendation to the board at its Oct. 24 meeting.
Replacement of the units, estimated at a cost of $616,625, already is included in the district’s Long Range Facilities Plan that is expected to be finalized and approved within the next two months.
However, construction supply delays mean that new rooftop units could take up to 10 months to arrive after being purchased, according to a district report.
Stachacz is concerned that the current units might break down and not be repairable before new ones arrive and are installed.
“The ones we have now are 25 years old,” Stachacz. “I have Band-Aids on them, holding them together. I don’t think they’ll make it until 2024, which is why I want to do this now.”
The units needing to be replaced include those that supply air conditioning to the gymnasiums at Flossmoor Hills, Serena Hills and Western Avenue, and to the board room at Normandy Villa.
The district plans to purchase the new units through a purchasing cooperative called Sourcewell, allowing it to avoid an even longer wait time of up to 42 weeks in the general market.
New playground equipment
Stachacz reported that, after long delays caused by slow manufacturing, new playground equipment was slated to be shipped soon for two schools — Nov. 2 for Heather Hill and Nov. 11 for Serena Hills.
Installation will proceed unless the ground is frozen, in which case the equipment will be held in storage by the manufacturer until spring.
National Principals Month
During the meeting, Superintendent Dana Smith and the board of education briefly recognized the district’s principals and assistant principals in honor of National Principals Month in October.
“When you think of who you want as stewards, not only of our most important resource, which is our kids, but of our community as well, we’re glad to have them on our team,” Smith said.
“On behalf of the board, we trust you, we know you care deeply for our kids, and we feel really lucky for you to be part of District 161.”
The principals each received a gift bag. They include:
- Principal Ursula Parris, Parker Junior High.
- Assistant Principal Tara Peacock, Parker Junior High.
- Assistant Principal Michelle Wisniewski, Parker Junior High.
- Principal Haley Marti, Flossmoor Hills Elementary.
- Principal Ashley Holland, Heather Hill Elementary.
- Principal Elizabeth Reich, Serena Hills Elementary.
- Principal Gina Isabelli, Western Avenue Elementary.
Board members Janelle Scharon and David Linnear were absent from the meeting.