WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– A multimillion dollar project to upgrade HVAC systems at the three Vigo County high schools is moving forward after the school board approved contractor bids on Monday.
Chief Operating Officer John Newport said this work is crucial for the corporation moving forward.
“It builds the foundation for future projects,” he said. “Unfortunately, there’s not going to be much they are going to feel or see because a lot of it takes place in the boiler room or in the ceilings, but what it really does is it builds the foundation so we can then add to it later.”
The groundwork for this project was laid about 18 months ago– and is a way to improve the buildings following the failed referendum in 2022. Much of the funding comes from the federal level, and superintendent Chris Himsel said another crucial aspect is all of this new equipment could be improved upon at its current site or moved in the future.
“The conditions of the buildings are that doing nothing is not an option,” he said. “What we’re trying to do to move the buildings forward, we’re trying to do so in a way that gives us options on what we do in the future.”
The total cost for the project is around $21.5 million, with just over $20 million coming from federal ESSER dollars. Those guidelines say the projects have to be completed by the end of 2024. The current timeline has this work slated to finish in August of next year, but Newport said VCSC is working to get an extension– and does have other options if necessary.
“There is talk there may be an additional extension as long as contracts are already signed. Tonight, our final contract is signed,” he said. “With that, we will then be able to work towards those, or qualify for those extensions if they do come as anticipated.”
As he nears the end of his first year leading the corporation, Himsel said the facilities will continue to be a focus going forward.
“We’re trying to get back to a point where our community can be proud of these buildings, that’s what we’re working towards,” he said.
Newport also provided an update on the situation at Dixie Bee Elementary School. The chiller at the building was set to be replaced this upcoming January, and it was not feasible to move that timeline up, so a rental that will cost about $12,100 dollars a month was approved by the board.
“If all continues to go according to plan, we should have that chiller up and running by the time the heat of the day hits the building [on Tuesday].”
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