De Soto School District officials acted quickly to replace an HVAC unit in the high school’s lower cafeteria that recently failed.
The De Soto Board of Education voted unanimously Jan. 18 to pay TMI in Chesterfield $32,914 to have the new rooftop HVAC unit installed.
The district sought emergency bids and received two – one from SMCI in De Soto for $27,532 and the higher one from TMI.
“We went with the bid from TMI because they have it in stock … whereas SMCI was at least 13 weeks out before they could even get the unit,” Superintendent Josh Isaacson said.
High School Principal Jon Roop said the installation took place the week of Jan. 22.
Isaacson said it was somewhat of an emergency to replace the HVAC because if water lines were to freeze in the cafeteria, the district would be looking at another expense.
“There is another rooftop HVAC unit in the cafeteria, so it has helped, along with portable heaters, and the students have been great as the area is only used for lunch, which is about 20 minutes for students, half of whom are able to sit in the upper portion that does not have any issues.”
There’s a stairwell that separates the upper cafeteria from the lower cafeteria.
He said the unit was one on a long list of units that needed to be replaced. However, he said school officials didn’t expect it to completely fail this school year.
District officials hope to complete nearly $9 million worth of heating and cooling system upgrades districtwide if voters approve a $19 million bond issue called Prop 4 Dragons on April 2. The bond issue, which will require a four-sevenths majority to pass, will not require a tax increase, but the debt service levy would be extended for 12 years.
The district also wants to use bond issue funds for roof repairs and replacements; installation of security cameras, security film for windows and additional external lighting; technology upgrades districtwide and the replacement of bleachers and turf at J.C. Culwell stadium.
Also on Jan. 18, the board voted unanimously to hold the high school graduation at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, outdoors at the school’s J.C. Culwell Stadium.
In case of rain that evening, graduation will be moved to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, outside.
If that date is rained out, then graduation will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19, outside if the weather is clear and inside if it’s raining or storming.