By Pat Culverhouse

Webster Parish School Board members will be considering a proposal which could put a full-time HVAC service technician in the parish to perform maintenance or repairs on all school’s heating and air systems.

Representatives of Mechanical Cooling Services, LLC told members one of its company employees would be in the parish 40 hours per week working out of the school system’s maintenance department.

“He would be our employee and we’ll furnish a company truck and all the essentials,” said Travis Brown, co-owner of Mechanical Cooling Services.

Brown and co-owner Cole Marbut said a proposed $228,000 annual contractural arrangement would save the system money in the long run, noting Webster Parish has already paid their company $150,000 to date in 2024 in labor charges only

“That figure does not include parts nor costs from other vendors,” Brown said. “This would be a partnership, but we will take ownership of responsibility for keeping the systems up and running. It maximizes services and saves money.”

According to Marbut, HVAC systems can be efficiently and effectively managed with computer software, and he said his company already has up-to-date equipment.

Brown said the company has been working with Webster Parish schools for some time. He told board members the company has similar contracts with Rapides Parish, which has 52 schools, and partial coverage in LaSalle and Vernon parishes.

In response to questions from board members, Brown and Marbut said the contract would have “…no hooks, and it will be renewed on a year-to-year  basis.” The contract would also provide that parts will be charged at cost.

Brown said many school systems have realized their HVAC expenses are among the largest in their budgets.

“This on-site HVAC service technician arrangement has picked up steam over the years,” Brown said. “It saves money and time.”

Members also approved invoices totaling $498,164.07 on school projects during Monday’s meeting. Expenditures from various parish funds included:

• Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund—$91,901.45: total includes $41,523 to purchase two sets of weapon detection technology at Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $22,250 to replace wiring at Lakeside football field; $7,264.69 for repair of water main break on baseball field at Lakeside; $6,622.93 for installation of front door access system at Lakeside.

• Doyline Maintenance Fund—$196,945: major expenditure of $181,997 approved to replace roof on main building, gymnasium and shop at Doyline High School; also, $8,500 to install a mini-split unit in Doyline High weight room; $5,200 to fertilize and seed baseball and softball fields at Doyline High.

• District 6 One-half cent Sales Tax Fund—$155,216.63: some projects and repairs include $46,000 to demolish buildings and install 24’x24’x10’ metal building at J.L. Jones Elementary; $20,800 for chillers at Minden High School for the period Aug. 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025; $19,250 to install a 16’x20’x8’ storage building at J.A. Phillips Elementary.

• Also, $16,016 to install fencing at E.S. Richardson Elementary; $8,800 to repair chiller at Webster Jr. High; $8,566.05 for troubleshooting and repair water flow and blower motor at Minden High.

• Springhill Maintenance Fund—$52,700.99: major expense is $44,000 to paint hallways at North Webster High School

• Sarepta Maintenance Fund—$1,400: motor for football stadium.