By Pat Culverhouse
North Webster High School will see more than $5.8 million in improvements to athletic fields after parish School Board members voted unanimously to accept a bid from a Ruston-based contracting company.
Walker Construction Company was the lowest of three bidders to update facilities at the high school’s football field and baseball/softball complex, coming in with a bid of $5,877,000. Other bids submitted were $6.089 million and $6.5 million.
Architect Perry Watson, managing partner with Yeager, Watson & Associates, told board members funding for the project will come from revenue generated through a recently passed bond issue.
“With costs being the way they are and looking to the future, this bid is right on the money,” Watson said. “I recommend we strike while the iron is hot. We feel very comfortable working with this contractor.”
Watson said improvements at the high school’s football stadium would include a replace of the current field house, replacement of the visitor restroom and concession building, an upgrade of the track and major drainage work. No work is planned on the stadium.
At McMahan Park, a new press box and a new restroom/concession building is planned, and new backstops will be placed at both the baseball and softball field. Also, tennis courts at the facilities will be rehabilitated.
“This is a first phase for improvements,” Watson said. “The second project will be a combination of work at Brown Upper (Elementary) and Browning (Middle).”
Board members also voted to enter into a one year contract with Mechanical Cooling Services, LLC for an on-site technician who would be responsible for upkeep, repair and maintenance of the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems in all parish schools.
Superintendent Johnny Rowland told members the one year contract would run approximately $228,000.
“This is a contract for one year only, and we would have the option of renewing after we review the performance,” Rowland said. “I believe we will see significant savings with this.”
Denny Finley, Supervisor of Transportation and Maintenance, said the system will save thousands of dollars annually just in replacing filters on units throughout the system.
“Right now, we have a company from Monroe that comes here to replace the filters,” he said. “That cost includes their time and travel, something we will not have to absorb under this new arrangement.”
Finley said the HVAC systems are becoming more advanced technologically, “…and this is something we’re really not able to handle. This person will be very familiar with new technology.”
In response to a question, Rowland said the on-site individual would be busy, even when there were no problems that required repair work.
“They will be inspecting and maintaining systems at all our schools which will keep them busy,” he said. “And, they will be supplying their own vehicle, supplies and tools. We won’t be responsible for any of those expenses.”
At the end of the first year, Rowland said the staff will take a close look at the savings and be prepared to make a recommendation on whether or not to continue the contract for another year.
“I believe we should be more proactive than reactive in our maintenance programs, and that’s what I like most about this contract,” said District 4 board member Jonathan Guthrie.
During Monday’s meeting, school board members also:
• Entered executive session “for discussions and/or action regarding pending litigation of Bradford v. WPSB, Docket #23-05781.”
• Approved fiscal year 2024-25 budget revisions covering six district bond issue tax funds.
• Approved opening an account with Bonvenu Bank as designated Kev Group School Cash clearing bank for the district.
• Declared five 18’x28’ and two 18’x36’ metal portable buildings at the central office as surplus, to be demolished.
• Approved updated Employee Evaluation Performance Review for positions of custodian and secretary.
• Approved updated job description for Special Education Instructional Facilitator: Early Childhood/Low Incidence populations.
• Gave okay for Richardson Elementary to take top four AR classes to Caldwell Zoo in Tylor, TX. Funding source Title 1 and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) funds.
• Approved Doyline third through fifth students to visit Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, TX. Funding source Title 1.
• Agreed to allow Candiss Shephard (School Food Service Coordinator), Andrea Borne and Joni Bonner (field managers) to attend School Nutrition Assoc. annual national conference in San Antonio, TX.
•Approved Minden High School cheer squad to attend Universal Cheerleaders Association camp June 6-9.
Just over $304,821 in invoice payments were also approved during Monday’s meeting from the various school maintenance and tax funds. Those payments, which were approved in globo, included:
• Consolidated Dist. 3 Maintenance Fund: $130,542.26 which included $22,250 to prime and paint junior and senior high school gyms at Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $22,000 to refinish the junior high gym at Lakeside; $17, 956 for installation of three mini split systems at Lakeside; $14,375 to prime and paint library, cafeteria and conference room at Lakeside; $13,500 to check outside air units, blower motor assembly, extension module and control board at Central Elementary; $10,500 to replace five-ton CU and GAMHU unit in main office of Lakeside.
• Doyline Maintenance Fund: $27,445. Major expenditures $9,080 for installation of condenser, gas furnace and coil at Doyline High School; $8,500 for labor to repair heating unit at Doyline High; $6,900 to replace inverter board and inverter compressor (overtime labor required) at Doyline High.
• District 6 One-half Cent Sales Tax Fund: $88,911.08. Cost includes $41,013 to sand, prime and paint the first grade hallway and four bathrooms at J.A. Phillips Elementary; $10,998 to install wind screen on fence near playground at J.L. Jones Elementary; $9,950 to install LED security lights on south side of Webster Jr. High; $9,800 to power wash and paint covered walkway at front entrance of Minden High School; $5,440 to put new blades on condenser fan motors, replace blown fuses, rewire contractors and install new fuses at Webster Jr. High.
• Springhill Maintenance Fund: $50,503.50. Expenditures include $12,900 to replace chill water pump at North Webster High School; $10,949 to install customized wraps on all exterior doors at Brown Upper Elementary; $10,500 to install air conditioning unit in main office at North Webster High; $6,960 for purchase of heat exchangers and motors at Brown Upper Elementary.
• Shongaloo Building Fund: $7,420 which paid $3,600 for repair of flame amplifier and main pilot burner at North Webster Lower Elementary plus truck charge; $2,660 to replace electric globe valve, act electric pro and temp duct plus truck charge at North Webster Lower Elementary; $1,160 to complete chiller preventive maintenance and coil cleaning at North Webster Lower Elementary.
