The Mehlville Board of Education unanimously approved a bid Dec. 16 for HVAC work at Point, Beasley and Oakville Elementary Schools. 

The board approved an $843,262 bid from Sheet Metal Contractors Inc. for the HVAC projects. The bid includes a $722,000 base bid for the work at all three schools, as well as a $4,950 alternative bid for diffusers at Beasley, and contingency and professional fees. 

The district received a total of five bids, with Sheet Metal Contractors being the lowest qualified bidder. The district has worked with the company many times in the past, including work at Mosaic Elementary School, said Facilities Director Mike Gegg.

The scope of work includes new rooftops, new variable air volume, or VAV, systems, new controls, new wiring and whole new systems. The project will be paid for out of the district’s capital fund, or with Elementary and Secondary Education Emergency Relief, or ESSER, III funds if they become available. ESSER money is from the federal government and can be used to minimize the impact of COVID-19, including making necessary facility upgrades including updated HVAC systems. 

 The state legislature must pass and the governor must sign a supplemental budget before the end of March to free up the $2 billion in ESSER funds for Missouri school districts to use. 

Director Jean Pretto questioned if there was any concern that the price of the work may go up due to supply cost increases but Gegg said that as soon as the contracts are finalized the equipment will be ordered. 

“It’s possible but they haven’t said anything about any price increases,” Gegg said.