By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board approved several capital projects at its meeting on Monday including two projects to improve security and a second phase of HVAC improvements at O'Loughlin Elementary School.
The board members approved an $148,998 project to install a new electronic secure door access control locks system provided by Nex-Tech at Roosevelt Elementary School.
Rusty Lindsay, director of Building and Grounds, said the project is in the district's five-year capital improvement plan. The district has wanted to move to the electronic lock system for some time, but the price has recently become much more affordable.
The new system will allow the district to divide the school into zones and better control individual access.
The system would be on a network, and lockdowns could be initiated remotely.
New keyed locks were installed in the building six years ago. Those locks will be removed and put up for auction.
Security cameras
The school board approved the purchase of security cameras for the Roosevelt addition.
Twenty-one additional cameras will be purchased from Nex-Tech for $39,710.
O'Loughlin HVAC
The board approved the second phase of upgrades to the heating and cooling system at O'Loughlin Elementary School.
BCS & Glassman Corp. will complete the project this summer at a cost of $495,278.
The project will address areas of the building that are not part of the bond renovations. This will include hallways and areas that otherwise make it difficult to maintain temperatures in classrooms, Lindsay said.
The project came in under budget.
Bond updates
Superintendent Ron Wilson gave the board an update on bond projects.
At Roosevelt as of this week, workers are finishing erecting structural steel for expansion, continuing to install decking and detailing steel for expansion, and continuing to install ductwork and finish drywall.
Fill is being brought in at the new high school. The first concrete footing also will be poured.
Work is also progressing at the Hays High baseball field. The turf has been laid. The rubbers and sand are being laid. Lighting and netting will be installed in January. The bleachers will be installed in February.
The board also approved adjusting wages for after-school care workers, crossing guards and lunchroom supervisors to $12.91 per hour and the after-school care director's wage to $13.91 per hour.
