Leander ISD uses leftover bond money for campus improvements

Disler said the cause of rust corrosion is under investigation. Leaks could be attributed to corrosive water, improper electrical grounding or electrolysis.

"Electrolysis is when you have two different materials that are not compatible, like when you put certain metals against each other they adversely react to one another," Disler said. "In school districts, water sits for long period of time. It's just going to eat the pipe that much faster."

Administration has been in contact with several engineering firms and the City of Cedar Park regarding the issue, according to district documents. Due to the rusty-colored water and risk of contaminants following pipe repairs, staff turned off drinking fountains at Naumann Elementary School and the impacted buildings at CPHS. They provided bottled drinking and kitchen-use water.

The board also approved using some of the leftover funds to replace heat recovery units at Leander Middle School. Disler said existing authorized bond allocation would insufficiently fund the HRU replacements, with an estimated cost of $1.025 million. The board approved using $575,000 of leftover bond money to supplement the project.

Disler said he and his staff will move forward with the bidding process for the HRU replacement project, as well as seek a construction manager at risk for the pipe replacements. Councilwoman Grace Barber-Jordan motioned to move forward with receiving bids, citing an urgency to complete the projects. The board will consider both bids at the March 22 meeting.

The LISD school board approved an election schedule as well. Places 1 and 2, currently held by Lisa Mallory and Don Hisle, are up for election. The last day to file for a place on the May 12 ballot is March 5.