By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays school board Monday approved a $652,730 project to replace windows at O'Loughlin Elementary School, Wilson Elementary School and Rockwell Administration Center.
The district will use federal COVID relief funds for the project.
The project is meant to improve airflow in the buildings. Many of the windows are original to the buildings. Some of the windows can't be opened. They are in such bad repair they have been screwed shut, Superintendent Ron Wilson told the board.
O'Loughlin's windows are single pane and not insulated. The school has issues with drafts and condensation.
O'Loughlin was once a Catholic girls school. The library was once a chapel and the windows are colored glass and don't fit the use of the room now.
Although Rockwell houses administrators, its gym is used by Westside students. Those are the windows that will be replaced.
Wilson said district officials took into consideration bond planning in developing the project.
Paul Wartenberger Construction was the low bid and was awarded the contract.