Alief ISD’s maintenance and construction presentation outlined multiple summer projects and emergency repairs completed ahead of the school year, and described an expanded student-intern program that supplied labor and hands-on training.
Vincent Lewis, assistant superintendent of support services, and Glenn Jarrett, director of construction and facilities, reviewed completed work: roof replacements at several eight-classroom additions, skylight replacements at Alexander and Albright, parking and paving improvements at multiple campuses, carpet replacements on a multi-year cycle, gym-floor replacement at Miller, and rooftop unit (RTU) replacements coordinated with roof work.
Jarrett also described districtwide chiller and cooling-system work (replacing water-cooled chillers with air-cooled units at some campuses, and cooling-tower upgrades at others) and routine summer maintenance (gas tests, fire-extinguisher recertification, custodial deep cleaning). He said the district deployed 13–14 CTE student interns to assist in construction and maintenance tasks and that the internships provided hands-on trade experience.
An electrical failure at Collins damaged switchgear and both chillers; Jarrett said staff restored limited power within days, rented a temporary generator (with diesel and rental costs he estimated near $10,000), and located replacement switchgear in Houston to avoid a long lead time. Staff said the second chiller’s replacement parts had arrived and repair work was underway at the time of the report.
Trustees asked about assuring even cooling after chiller and control updates; staff described test-and-balance work, duct checks, control updates and additional measures (for example, adding an air bladder to purge airlocks) to prevent hot/cold imbalances. No formal board action was taken; the report was informational.