Valley Grove School Board members listened to experts who discussed costs and a timetable for the installation of air conditioning at Rocky Grove High School during the board’s meeting this week.
It was noted at the meeting that about 30 classrooms don’t have air conditioning and the gymnasium doesn’t have air handling.
The estimated costs, according to architect Bob Englebaugh from HHSDR and engineer Jim Vizinni from CJL Engineering, will be $680,000 for the units, $100,000 for the electrical improvements related to HVAC, and $80,000 for automatic temperature controls.
The air conditioning will partially be paid for by ESSER grant funds, and the rest of the money will come from the district’s capital projects fund.
The gymnasium air handling unit will cost $380,000.
The elevators are also getting a “total modernization” because the majority of the elevators’ parts are at the end of their life cycle.
The elevator improvements and air handling unit will also be paid for with money from the capital projects fund.
Englebaugh said HHSDR could advertise for bids early next year with a goal of having construction start around May or June of 2023.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the board discussed the increase in utility costs and the potential deficit spending.
As a cost-savings measure, school board member Cindy Swendsen asked all district staff members to “run (the) classroom the way you run your home,” such as turning lights off when leaving a classroom.
School board member Lori Hannon later said it’s “important to be aware of potential cost savings, including turning off the lights.”
The board also approved supplemental contracts for 2022-23 and the hiring of recommended custodial candidates with a tentative start date of June 1.
