By Jarreau Freeman jfreeman@montgomerynews.com @JarreauFreeman on Twitter

The Souderton Area School Districts operations committee discussed some of the upgrades the district is looking into for 2015 through 2020. A majority of the proposed projects were brought to the committee last spring; however, district staff wanted to update the board on a few additional projects added to the list.

The capital projects, many of which focus on school safety and energy efficiency, include upgrades specific to each of the schools in the district, as well as districtwide improvements, according to the five-year capital projects plan presentation given by Business Affairs Director William Stone.

Through the course of the next five years, the district upgrades are projected to cost $10 million.

The projects will be funded from the capital reserve, which is currently housing $750,000, and the general fund budget, but the general fund figures could change based on the annual budget reviews, Stone said.

Other monies the district is slated to receive and possibly allocate toward capital projects include an estimated $6 million from the sale of the former Souderton Area High School building, as well as an estimated $1.85 million from the sale of the former Lower Salford Elementary School building. Both properties are under an agreement of sale.

In addition, a projected $1.9 million in assigned fund balance will also be available, the presentation outlined. There is a possibility that unassigned fund balance transfers may be directed toward capital projects, but thats pending 2015-16 budget reviews, Stone said.

Each school has a series of upgrades being proposed for the next five years that consist of things like paving repairs in the school parking lots, HVAC, lighting, security camera and generator upgrades and upgrades to the gymnasiums, the presentation outlined.

It appears that Indian Valley Middle School will see the most repairs in the next five years with upgrades like a new emergency generator, library and modular roofing repairs, auditorium upgrades and painting, sidewalk and curb repairs, exterior door replacements and track installations slated for the school, according to the presentation.

A few more projects have been added to the list for several of the other schools. E. Merton Crouthamel Elementary is slated for renovations that call for safety and equipment upgrades to bring the building up to code. Stone highlighted the fact that the district is scheduled to receive the results from a feasibility study in January or February of next year, after which the district will assess the design, pricing and construction of the building, he said. Continued...

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Preliminary capital project discussions underway in Souderton Area School District

West Sound Utility District officials presented an overview of their 2015-16 biennial budget for the South Kitsap Water Reclamation Facility (SKWRF) at the Nov. 25 Port Orchard City Council meeting.

During the 25-minute presentation, WSUD General Manager Michael Wilson noted that the biennial budget parallels the 2013-14 budget.

This is a very strong policy document, Wilson said.

He said the budget includes goals and objectives, identification of tasks, priorities and various financial documents.

The most important aspect of the budget is the long-range capital planning, Wilson said. It is a challenge with our enterprise funds, water and sewer and utilities.

He said the utility district operates as a business enterprise and the sewer treatment plant is a joint-partnership between WSUD and the city.

Regarding the SKWRF goals and priorities, Wilson said there has not been significant changes.

The most important thing is that we operate within a cost-effective manner, he said.

Wilson said the plant is regulated by the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection Agency.

Wilson said its important to continue maintenance and equipment upgrades, but noted that obtaining adequate funding for capital projects is a big challenge.

Link:
West Sound Utility District unveils budget to council

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By Amit Singh CRN, Nov 17, 2014

The enterprise networking market is expected to reach $1,054 million by 2017 with a major chunk accounted for by SDN

Wider acceptance of social networking, mobility, big data, analytics and the cloud (SMAC) is driving the networking market. According to Gartner, the enterprise networking market will touch $887 million in 2014 and reach $1,054 million by 2017.

Today, the point of discussion with customers is around technologies such as SDN, data center network upgradation, and the convergence of network and wireless. We believe these solutions and services will drive business in the next 12-18 months, says Umesh Shah, Director, Orient Technologies, Mumbai.

SDN Indian businesses are now accepting SDN as a serious investment option. Says Amandeep Singh Dang, Country Manager, Dell Networking, In India, we expect 30-40 percent of the enterprise networking market to move to SDN by 2017. This means an opportunity worth $350 million-$400 million by 2017.

Today, the point of discussion with customers is around SDN, data center network upgradation, and convergence of network and wireless

Umesh Shah, Director, Orient Technologies

Adds Neel Shah, Managing Director, Insight Business Machines, Mumbai, Although most customers are still testing the waters with partial implementation, the momentum will accelerate in the next 1-2 years. Greenfield projects will be more inclined to opt for full-fledged SDN.

Customers now understand that SDN will be the future and are readying the base for SDN transformation, he remarks. We have seen increased acceptance and executed several networking projects where customers have deployed SDN-ready products.

Revamp in data centers Another big transformation is taking place inside data centers. With cloud computing emerging as a widespread practice, the demands on network switches and routers inside data centers have increased.

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Partners: DC Networking Ugradation, SDN Will Drive Networking Market

NASHUA With very little discussion, aldermen on Wednesday authorized two bonds totaling nearly $10 million for a slew of school improvements.

With a vote of 12-3, the board passed a $7.5 million bond to renovate Sunset Heights Elementary School. And, with a unanimous vote, the board passed a separate $2,150,000 bond for roof replacements at several city schools, in addition to gym floor renovations at both high schools.

The majority of work at Sunset Heights Elementary School includes significant HVAC improvements, along with other building renovations.

The school district is in the process of improving all of the HVAC systems at each of the citys schools. Broad Street Elementary School is nearly completed with its renovations, and the Sunset Heights school is next on the list for HVAC updates.

Sunset Heights principal Philip Schappler said previously that the district is also hoping to improve the schools security by relocating its main office next to the front door, and constructing a vestibule to enter the main building.

Other work includes a newly paved fire road to allow emergency vehicles better access around the perimeter of the building, and replacing original windows with energy efficient windows.

Schappler anticipates that building work will begin next summer, and would likely continue into the upcoming school year. A temporary classroom may need to be set up in the schools gym while renovations are ongoing, he said earlier.

The $7.5 million bond will be sold in late fiscal year 2015 for a 20-year term. The estimated interest rate is about 4 percent, for a total cost of $10.6 million over the 20 years, which includes interest. City officials anticipate the average annual payment of the bond to be about $532,500 beginning next year.

Voting against the proposal were aldermen Paul Chasse, Dan Moriarty and David Schoneman.

The separate $2.1 million bond will pay for new roofing at Dr. Crisp Elementary School, New Searles Elementary School, Elm Street Middle School, Fairgrounds Middle School and the districts plant operations facility.

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Nashua aldermen approve nearly 10 million in bonds

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Susquenita School Board is considering replacing HVAC systems that are nearing the end of their projected life spans in several of its buildings.

During a special Oct. 20 meeting, the board heard presentations from Michael Rader, a vice president of Barton Education Consulting Engineers, and Brad Remig, managing director of Public Financial Management Inc.

Bardton Education conducted a full review of the district's systems concluding that the HVAC systems at both the elementary and high school, both installed in 2000, were near the end of their useful life, and starting to break down, Rader said.

Brad Howard, director of buildings and grounds reported that the district has 17 heat pumps in the high school and 11 in the elementary that are out of service or not functioning properly. Parts are hard to come by, and often connections need to be reworked to accommodate replacement units, Howard said. He also noted several rooftop units are out of commission.

Board member Robert Finnen agreed that the units are at the end of their expected life, especially when factoring the system was put under a great deal of stress several years ago due to a power surge.

The estimated cost for replacement of the 121 geothermal heat pumps and 12 rooftop energy recovery units at the elementary school is $2-$2.2 million.

The estimated cost for the high school was higher, $2.5-$2.75 million, because that building has 158 heat pumps and 16 rooftop units.

In addition, Rader also recommended replacing the electric boiler at the middle school with a high efficiency propane one for roughly $100,000.

Rader also recommended upgrades at the administration building totaling between $325,000 and $357,500, and at the alternative education and facilities building ranging from $180,000 to $198,000.

Rader said both major projects could be done over the same summer or they could be done separately. The board needs to decide how to proceed at their Nov. 11 meeting in order to have the work completed in 2015, he said.

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HVAC replacements looked at for Susquenita schools

Belleville, New Jersey (PRWEB) October 30, 2014

The Capital Region Restaurant Operators Cooperative (ROC) has selected GREENCROWN Energy a leading full-service energy advisory firm specializing in energy supply cost reduction and energy conservation measures, including turnkey cogeneration systems development as its preferred vendor for all energy advisory-related services.

Headquartered in Albany, New York, ROC provides independent restaurant operators with competitive supply prices to help level the playing field with large chain operators. The restaurant industry has always been extremely competitive, said Nick Papamichael, chief procurement officer at Green Crown Energy. Thats why an organization like ROC, with its 176 members and $15 million in buying power, is so vital for independent operators competing with large restaurant chains.

In addition to historically large cost categories food, beverages, labor other expenses, including energy, take on heightened importance in the face of growing competition and highly unpredictable gas and electric prices, he continued. Thats why were proud to have been chosen as a preferred energy vendor for ROC. This is a first class organization thats totally dedicated to helping its members flourish in the marketplace. Were going to be doing everything we can to assist them in those efforts in the area of electricity and gas prices.

One of the best allies for independent restaurant operators interested in holding down energy costs are electricity and gas procurement contracts, according to Papamichael. When properly negotiated by Green Crown Energy experts, they can provide long-term stability amid rising energy prices, he said.

Long-term electric and gas procurement contracts enable independent restaurant operators to more accurately budget and plan for the future without having the prospect of energy spikes or horrible winters hanging over their head, Papamichael added.

As ROC continues to grow and evolve, we are always seeking to align ourselves with companies that can help us grow and provide our members with great value, said Evan Christou, president of ROC. Green Crown Energy is certainly one of those companies, and the timing couldnt be better given the impact of energy prices these days.

The key to negotiating a great electricity and gas procurement contract, Papamichael says, is taking the time to fully understand the unique energy needs of each restaurant. Some folks believe they can strike an energy agreement on their own. However, if just one detail is missed or one important question isn't asked, a seemingly fantastic electricity and gas contract can become a disaster before the ink has dried," he warned. "You need professionals, such as those at Green Crown Energy who have years of experience, impeccable contacts and expertise.

GreenCrown Energy is available to help any business sort out its long-term energy needs, Papamichael offered. Some businesses call us because they want a second opinion before signing a new energy contract. Or perhaps businesses have an expiring energy contract and want to be confident they received competitive pricing with excellent contract terms next time around," he said. All any business has to do is give us a call and were happy to assist.

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Like other Minnesota school districts, the Elk River system has some big construction plans to handle a growing influx of students.

But before any dirt moves, Elk River will need to persuade voters on Nov. 4 to approve a $98.03 million bond referendum to address demands at five over-capacity schools, including Rogers High School.

The bond question covers several big-ticket items, including a classroom wing and auditorium at Rogers High School, at 21000 141st Ave. in Rogers, and a new E-8 school on district-owned land in Otsego, according to district communications director Charlie Blesener.

Statewide, more than $460 million worth of construction is on the line Tuesday as 26 districts ask voters to sign off on everything from security improvements to new buildings, according to a list from the Minnesota School Boards Association.

The biggest referendums are in Elk River ($98.03 million), Waconia ($75 million), Centennial ($49.935 million), Sibley East ($43.045 million), Bemidji ($39.815 million), Rushford-Peterson ($38.165 million) and Moose Lake ($34.7 million).

The November ballot questions add to an already strong year for school bond referendums. Twenty of 27 referendums have passed so far in 2014, kick-starting more than $400 million in construction, maintenance and renovation projects.

Voters have rejected $314.5 million in bonding for school projects this year, including a $188 million referendum for a new high school and other improvements in the Forest Lake district.

As Finance & Commerce reported last November, 26 of 30 capital bond initiatives were successful, generating $560 million for new construction, technology upgrades, security improvements and more.

As the economy improves, more referendums are getting yes votes.

Tony Sjolander, a school bond referendum consultant with DLR Group in Minneapolis, said the passage rate is now in the mid-80 percent range, compared with less than 50 percent in 2008.

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Schools seek $460M for construction