Conversation last week pointed toward Lehighton Area School District pulling installation of a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system from the bidding process for renovations to its middle and high schools.

The school board confirmed the choice Tuesday night via unanimous approval from its nine members.HVAC rehabilitation at the schools is now part of an energy savings, or ESCO, contract through Maryland-Pennsylvania Trane.Under the ESCO project, Trane guarantees the district that the amount on the signed contract is what the project will cost. Any addendums or fixes during or within five years of installation come at no cost to the district."I can't find a downside to the ESCO," board member William Hill Jr. said last week. "If you just bid it out, a contractor is going to charge you every time there is a specification missing or something goes awry. We are locked in and guaranteed with this."Overall renovations at the middle school are estimated to cost $10.92 million plus any alternates the board would choose. Beyond the mechanical system overhaul, the project includes a roof replacement, a secured building entrance, and exterior window and door replacement, among other improvements.Trane will do a detailed energy audit at Lehighton High School for $47,330 per the board's approval Tuesday night. Results of the audit will help the board decide whether or not to pursue an energy savings, or ESCO, project at the school."The energy audit will give us an idea of what the cost will be for the HVAC installation and our projected energy savings," Lehighton Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said. "We're hoping to get the results back and get bids out for general construction, electrical and plumbing for the projects at both schools by the middle of June. Bids would likely be awarded in July."Construction could start be the end of July or early August.Currently, high school renovations are estimated at $9.4 million and include a mechanical system overhaul, exterior facade improvements, a secure entrance, plumbing electrical upgrades and lighting upgrades. Alternates include an auditorium acoustical treatment, a metal roof replacement, snow guard replacement for the roof, selective flooring replacement, and a wrestling and weight room in the auxiliary gym.In other action Tuesday night, the board approved the most recent payments on the district's four building projects, including a proposed K-5 primary elementary center, stadium renovation, and upgrades to the middle and high schools. Payments will be made to Barry Isett and Associates (stadium) for $17,876.34, EI Associates (middle and high schools) for $87,038, and Quandel Inc. (all four projects) for $11,000.In personnel matters, William G. Schwab will remain the district's solicitor for the 2015-16 school year at $155 per hour.• Schwab said he will be starting his 27th year with Lehighton.• Dr. Thomas E. Munshower will be paid a $6,000 stipend and per exam fee of $7 for a physical and $3 for a scoliosis examination.•The retirement of Lehighton High School secretary Shirley Phillips will be effective Aug. 1.•Tenure was approved for Wanda Rousenberger, school psychologist.• Melissa Wagner resigned as secretary to the coordinator of curriculum and will now be the administrative assistant to the superintendent. Wagner will make $42,500 and the move is effective July 1.• Rebecca Karpowicz was hired as curriculum and business secretary at $32,500, effective July 1.• Richard Bennett, Melissa Blocker and David Hauser were hired to high school summer school teacher positions each at $29 per hour.• Andrew Yenser was re-elected Tuesday night as board treasurer for 2015-16.• As has been the case for the five or six years he has served in that role, his $800 salary will be waived and given to the Lehighton Area Memorial Library.