Our school boiler, which was at least three decades old, died in December, two days before classes were dismissed for the semester. Here is what we know at present:

Though it has been serviced many times, it could no longer be repaired.

Boilers such as ours must be built to spec; we are doing this through Isern Electric and Great Bend Refrigeration, who are working with a firm in Texas. Some people have inquired about Superior Boilers, a firm in Hutchinson. They only produce machines much larger than we need.

Moving to a heating system other than steam would involve installation costs and alterations that would probably triple what we will pay for the boiler. The alterations would also require much more time, and at a season of the year when we cannot go without heat.

In order to keep our pipes from freezing and to provide some heat both before classes begin and after, we will be installing a temporary gas furnace to heat at least the lower floor. We are now using space heaters in the restrooms and will need to use these in the classrooms as well when the students return.

Total costs? It's quite difficult to say. The factory, which will build the boiler, was closed over the holidays. If they can expedite construction, this will probably produce a 10% surcharge. The total cost will most likely be between 40 to 50 thousand dollars.

If you have an infrared zone heater, which has a thermostat and a protected heat source, that we can borrow during January, please contact the parish office.

Bottom line: we haven't had many options about what to do, and we are very grateful for the hours of work that Kent Robl and the two firms have already put into this project. We are also very grateful to Dick's Engine Service, which donated the equipment and some of the labor used to remove the old boiler.

Donations for the boiler as of December 31, 2019: $24,555.00.