Knowing the district is already $1 million short in balancing the 2016-2017 budget, the operations committee decided Feb. 1 to proceed with the HVAC system renovation at Harry S Truman Elementary School.

Originally projected at approximately $5 million to replace, the project has been reduced to $3,150,000 by re-evaluating the project.

During a presentation by Shayne Homan, P.E., director of energy services, McClure Company, in Harrisburg, the board members learned what would be involved in the project.

The scope of work includes changing from a two pipe to a four pipe system and reducing the amount of mechanical systems. The 15-year-old chiller system will be replaced but the 3-year-old boilers will remain. Individual classroom VAV systems will be installed and the electric reheat will be replaced with hot water reheat. The majority of existing duct work will be used and there will be a redesign of the exhaust air to reduce over-pressurization. There will be a stand-alone rooftop unit for the administrative area. The air supply duct will be cleaned as necessary. Existing univents will be replaced with tall vertical units and units will be ducted throughout the rooms. The price also includes a new automation system.

This is phase III of the energy savings for the district; the savings is expected to reach $4,080,000 over 20 years.

The proposed HVAC work for HST is expected to be completed this summer which required the committee to give a verbal answer to proceed so contracts could move forward and equipment could be ordered. Permits will be required as well for this work.

In discussion, Bill Bracket, director of maintenance, building and grounds said the existing equipment is over 25 years old. He said the same equipment is installed in other buildings and the district has a good working relationship with McClure.

Following the meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss said, “Energy savings projects are regulated by statue and project managers must be approved by the state. As part of the statute, qualifying projects do not need to go out for bid.”

Options on how to pay for the project were presented by Business Administrator Robert Bruchak. The committee members discussed a 15-year loan, a lease and a level-funded bond. The decision on how to pay for the project was not needed at the Feb. 1 meeting; the board will ask representatives from Public Financial Management to make a presentation at the March 7 operations committee meeting.

All board members in attendance voted in favor of moving forward with the HVAC project.

In other business Bruchak reported a clean audit for the district as well as a clean audit on federal programs.

“Revenues were strong. Hats off to the board,” Bruchak said. “Bond companies will see our financial strength.”

Bruchak also provided an update on the budget adding the requested additional priorities from administration as well as debt service showing an additional $558,990 in expenses.

Bruchak said administrators will meet with their teams to review the priority list and will continue to firm up revenues and expenditures.