Superintendent outlines $1.8M boilers project; grant requires 25% match (~$68,000)

Superintendent Dr. Jardino told the board on March 4 that the district plans to apply for a School Facilities Improvement Grant established in 2023 to support eligible facility-improvement projects, including boiler and control system work.

Dr. Jardino said the district prepared a project totaling about $1.8 million and that the grant requires a 25% local match; the estimate shown to the board put the district's share at about $68,000. He said the grant has a minimum project size of $500,000 and a $5 million cap, and noted the district would aim the application at projects it already planned in its five-year capital plan.

Board members discussed lifecycle issues for district boilers and a maintenance plan in which some replaced units could serve as parts for others. The superintendent said the grant application is due March 13 and that the district's grant service vendor will assist with the upload; the resolution authorizing the match will be on the voting agenda under item 14C.

Dr. Jardino cautioned that actual grant awards may differ from the application request; if awarded less than the requested sum, the district would scale the project to fit the available funding. The board asked that project narratives and capital plans be available for review prior to the vote.

Next steps: the board will consider a resolution (14C) at the voting meeting to authorize the local match and permit submission by the March 13 deadline.