Springfield middle-school renovation on track for summer milestones; HVAC units paused pending manufacturer and insurer assurances

Springfield Township SD’s Property Committee received a progress update on the middle-school renovation from CHA project staff, who said most major elements remain on track for summer or August 2026 completion but noted several technical issues that require board attention.

Mr. Grama of CHA said the auditorium addition is watertight with permanent windows installed and interior mechanical rough-ins underway, and that finishes for acoustic panels and stage systems will be installed in May–June with completion aimed for August 2026. The kitchen expansion, started in January 2026, is progressing toward floor and wall finishes and is also on the summer timetable.

CHA reported the stacked three-story group bathrooms present complex piping and conduit challenges; crews will extend work into the school year with the second floor targeted for October 1 and the first and third floors to follow in roughly two-week increments.

Site work includes a new retaining wall near the 309 interchange, pedestrian access integration with the high-school tunnel, a new dumpster enclosure and fencing to funnel pedestrian traffic toward the main entrance. CHA said contractors will remove trailers and storage containers over the summer so ball-field construction and final site shaping can proceed.

A safety issue halted planned installation of classroom unit ventilators manufactured by Airedale (owned by Modine). Mr. Grama told the committee that several similar units in other states experienced problems, including a few fires, prompting federal-level investigations and manufacturer corrective actions. CHA and administration have paused installation and requested four items before proceeding: visual confirmation that corrective fuses have been installed on units earmarked for Springfield (by serial number), either a factory or third‑party site visit verifying the retrofits, written assurance that UL certification remains in effect, and insurer confirmation that coverage will not be jeopardized. CHA is also evaluating potential cost/timing impacts if installation is deferred to a future break or next summer.

CHA outlined upcoming change orders that will require board approval: a new flagpole location and associated hardscape/lighting (work with Bracey Construction and Electrotech), mechanical-room piping rework to route geothermal and existing systems within an unusually constrained concrete room (CHA anticipates a change order request in June; initial contractor proposal approached $200,000 but CHA now estimates approximately $120,000), and two contract credits totaling about $108,000 combined ($53,000 and $55,000) for unused allowances that will reduce final contract amounts and will be presented for formal action.

Miss Green said administration will meet with CHA and the design team before finalizing the mechanical-room change order and noted the flagpole, mechanical change order and the two credits will appear on Monday’s board agenda for approval.

Next steps: administration will secure the requested manufacturer/third-party and insurer confirmations before resuming HVAC installations; finalize mechanical-room pricing and submit change orders to the board in June; and present contract-credit approvals and the flagpole item at the upcoming board meeting.