Northern Lehigh School District plans to move forward with upgrades to its middle school kitchen.

On a 7-0 vote, the school board on Monday approved the solicitation of proposals for a potential Guaranteed Energy Savings Agreement toward that very cause.

That decision came 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 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 told the board there were three options:

• Option 1 is to demolish the end-of-life kitchen equipment and equipment no longer used by the district and install new equipment. The budgeted project cost would be $336,000.

• Option 2 would be to demolish the end-of-life kitchen equipment and equipment no longer used by the district; install new kitchen equipment; install new HVAC equipment; reconfigure serving line; cosmetic upgrades limited to replacement of ceiling, flooring, patch and paint at serving line and around base of steam tables; and remove partition and install concession windows. The budgeted project cost would be between $531,000-$759,000.

• Option 3 is to demolish the end-of-life equipment and equipment no longer used by the district; install new kitchen equipment; install new HVAC equipment; reconfigure serving line; remove partition and install concession windows; remove and dispose of existing washer and dryer unit and replace in janitorial closet with stack unit; install five lockers in office; remove rest­room to include wall, doorway and plumbing fixtures; and full cosmetic upgrades to include complete replacement of tile flooring, paint and ceilings. The budgeted project cost would be $931,000.

Wingenfield said the next steps would be to request for proposals (required for federal ESSER funds) in October-November; take action in the form of a project award at the board’s Dec. 6 meeting; and start major construction between June-August.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tania Stoker said the district has just over $700,000 in ESSER 2 funds for this project.

Board President Gary Fedorcha and Director Robert Kern were absent.