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BOE approves HVAC upgrade for high school gym

New AC is in addition to ongoing $1.4 million district-wide HVAC project

Justin Addison, Editor/Publisher
Posted 5/25/22

The Fayette school board has approved an expenditure of up to $240,000 to augment the current district-wide HVAC improvement project to enhance heating and air conditioning in the high school …

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BOE approves HVAC upgrade for high school gym

New AC is in addition to ongoing $1.4 million district-wide HVAC project

Posted

The Fayette school board has approved an expenditure of up to $240,000 to augment the current district-wide HVAC improvement project to enhance heating and air conditioning in the high school gymnasium. The unanimous vote came during the board’s regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 18.

In February the board voted to enter into a contract with Veregy for the district-wide upgrades. The $1,331,159 project includes HVAC and energy improvements, including the full replacement of all furnaces and condensers at the elementary and middle schools and several ground-source heat pumps at the high school, the replacement of controls at all three schools, the addition of bipolar ionization to new and existing HVAC units, and upgrades the ground-source heat pump fluid cooler to mitigate loop temperature control problems.

The contract includes a guarantee of savings valued at $1,442,029 over 15 years, nearly $95,000 a year. It will be measured by comparing monthly energy bills to past costs.

The approved project did not include upgrades for the gym. Last week’s board approval was for a change order to the project, which adds two 15-ton rooftop units that will be placed above the stage. The board was given two options, the prices of which differed depending on either square or spiral ductwork. Spiral ducts were the highest priced at $236,366, with an additional charge of $3,000 to have them painted. Square ducts would cost nearly $23,000 less.

However, board member Aaron Bentley, who serves as Director of Engineering for FläktGroup SEMCO, a company that specializes in cutting-edge HVAC equipment for homes, hospitals, schools, and many other industrial applications, suggested a third option. He advocated using square ducts on the outside and spiral ducts on the interior.

“The round will look much better in the gym,” he said. “It’s quieter and performs better.”

The board approved a motion to approve up to $240,000 to pay for the hybrid option and paint the ducts. 

The district is able to pay for this project without issuing bonds or asking voters for another tax increase. Monies will be used that were provided to the school district from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. Approved uses of those funds include HVAC improvements and other mitigation expenses related to COVID-19.

The Fayette Board of Education meets regularly in the administrative building at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month except for July. June’s meeting will take place a week later than usual on June 22. Meeting are open and the public is invited.

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