Jim Thorpe Area School District’s Board of Directors approved a $5,063 repair to the high school’s emergency generator last week after officials reported the unit failed during a routine test.

Administrators said the generator is tested weekly and had been operating normally until the most recent test revealed a problem with the water pump.

“This just happened recently on the last test run,” Charlie Dresher, Jim Thorpe’s building and grounds director, said. “It runs every week. This is the first time it didn’t run.”

After the failed test, staff investigated the issue and determined the generator was low on antifreeze.

“When we filled it up and started it up, it started leaking,” Dresher said. “We saw it was on the back side of the pump, and that it was shot.”

The approved repair includes replacing the water pump along with several related components.

“This price includes new hoses, a new belt, a new pump and gaskets,” Dresher said. “So we’re one and done. This will never be a problem again for hopefully another five or 10 years.”

The contract approved is with Cummins Sales and Service.