School district plans on $5 million in HVAC upgrades to high school

The Columbia Falls High School should see upgrades to its heating and cooling systems this year. The School District 6 board recently approved a schedule for the project. The district has about $5 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding, which was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by Congress during the pandemic.

The school hopes to have bids in by mid-February and select a winner by the end of February.

The work would start in the spring and run through the summer.

The school is 63 years old.

Superintendent Dave Wick said the district will not a float a bond for the work. If bids come in over $5 million, the district will look at other sources to bridge the gap.