BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES BID PROCESS FOR PROJECTS

  

At their noon meeting today (Monday), the Brenham School Board approved beginning the bid process for two large projects at the High School over the summer.  Paul Aschenbeck, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, explained that the air-conditioners located on the roof of the 23 year old High School have been malfunctioning for years and need to be replaced.  The units primarily cool the classrooms in the building and it is estimated that their replacement will cost almost 2 million dollars.  Aschenbeck also said that the two exterior stairs at the school are also in need of replacement.  He said the stairs, which are primarily used as a fire escape, have become unusable, mainly because they are exposed to the weather.  He said they are looking at enclosing their replacements.  The estimated cost of the new stairs and the air-conditioning units is $2.9 million.  Kim Weatherby, Director of Business & Finance, said the District has $1.4 million designated for construction in their overall fund balance.  She suggested that be utilized and the remainder be funded through the non-operating budget.

In other action, Aschenbeck gave a quick rundown of the construction projects going on in the district.  He said that the lighting replacement project approved by the board in October will soon begin.  E3 Lighting will begin at the High School and will be replacing all of the lighting fixtures with LED units.  The work will be done afterhours and all of the campuses will be part of the $1.5 million project.