The Salisbury Township School Board held an operations committee meeting Oct. 4. The meeting consisted of a detailed summary of the middle school HVAC project and a discussion concerning the replacement of flooring in the lower level of Salisbury Elementary School.

The meeting commenced with a presentation from McClure Company representatives Alyssa Wingenfield, senior account executive and Chris McKissick, project manager. Every phase of the GESA project was highlighted from the planning stages to completion.

The project was divided into three phases which included an HVAC system upgrade, a lighting and ceiling upgrade and the sealing of the roof, walls, piping and electrical penetrations for maximum energy efficiency and savings.

While the $7.5 million 10-week project was completed on time and on budget it was not without challenges. Impacts from the supply chain, labor shortages, additional code enforcement issues and a power surge affecting rooftop units hindered the process.

Another point of contention arose when teachers did not have access to their rooms before the start of school creating undue stress to an already stressful time for staff.

The next step for the project is a measurement and verification report which includes an energy analysis conducted each year for the next two years. This will provide a full picture of energy savings since the installment of the new system.

The next item up for discussion was how to best use 2019 bond money to replace the flooring in rooms and hallways in the flood prone lower level of Salisbury Elementary School – with the exception of two rooms which have previously been replaced after a water infiltration event last February.

During the last operations committee meeting, Bill Brackett, director of facilities, proposed replacing existing carpeting with a vinyl flooring that is more expensive but does not require floor finish.

Utilizing this type of environmentally friendly flooring would save the district in man hours because no stripping or rewaxing is required and could be completed at the same time the water mitigation project is scheduled.

The water mitigation project, while not 100% foolproof, is designed to reroute water through a perimeter drainage system thereby drawing water away from the building to correct or minimize infiltration.

Also at the previous meeting, Director Thomas Spinner proposed replacing a 4-inch section of wall in each room where it meets the floor as a preventive measure in case of future flooding. Brackett obtained a price of $20,500 to complete this project.

A lengthy discussion ensued over the timing of the replacement flooring project which if done during the school year would be a disruption to students and staff.

The board also weighed the pros and cons of installing a preventive 4-inch perimeter in each room in an effort to prevent damage to walls and possible mold growth. After a lengthy debate the matter was tabled.

Ultimately, the board decided to order the materials to replace the floors ahead of the project which would be done concurrently with the water infiltration mitigation project on a June through August timeline.

If there should be a water infiltration during this school year, the materials will then be available and flooring will be replaced in the affected areas as needed.

The next meeting of the operations committee will be 7 p.m. Nov. 8. All meetings are held in the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road, Allentown.