Northern Lehigh School District will spend over $650,000 to modernize its middle school kitchen.

On a 5-0 vote, the school board on Monday approved a Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement Proposal with McClure Company for a cost of $655,490, as listed in the Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement Request for Proposal Response dated Oct. 29, contingent upon solicitor review, to be funded through ESSER II funds.

After the meeting, Superintendent Matthew J. Link explained the scope of the project.

“This project will consist of a removal of almost all existing kitchen equipment and replacement with new equipment, installation of all new HVAC equipment, reconfiguring of the serving line, some cosmetic upgrades to the ceiling, flooring and walls affected by the work,” Link said.

“Additionally, the partition between the cafeteria and the kitchen will be removed and replaced with a concession window style divider.”

In October, the board approved the solicitation of proposals for a potential Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement toward that very cause after Alyssa Wingenfield of the McClure Company gave a design review.

Wingenfield said the existing equipment in the middle school kitchen is at the end of its life; the district has indicated its desire to increase staff spacing to mitigate the risk of the COVID-19 spread; and there are HVAC comfort concerns, as Peters is the only building in the district without an HVAC upgrade (1990 equipment).

She said at that time project goals include updating existing food service and HVAC equipment; reconfiguring serving lines to improve flow; improving space functionality with washroom, locker room and office areas; and if financially viable, improving the aesthetics by replacing tile, flooring, paint and ceiling.

Wingenfield then presented the board with three options.

She said at that time major construction would be started between June-August.