Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Joshua P. Starr said he prioritized adding classroom space in his newly proposed $1.55 billion Capital Improvements Program for fiscal years 2015 to 2020.

We are bursting at the seams, he said Monday at Highland Elementary School in Silver Spring, which is at maximum capacity.

Starr said the school system needs $2.2 billion to cover all of its capital improvement needs for the six-year period. He is proposing a $1.55 billion program, he said, because the county is currently facing fiscal restraints and the school system is not getting the funding it deserves from the state.

The proposed program is about $184 million higher than the current program, which covers fiscal years 2013 to 2018.

Starr said the program addresses the school systems ongoing, significant enrollment growth with a recommendation for 14 new classroom addition projects. The plan also maintains schedules for other, previously approved capacity projects, including five new schools.

Since 2007, he said, the school system has grown by 14,000 students; another 11,000 are expected over the next six years.

Even if the program were fully funded, Starr said, 13 school clusters are expected to be over capacity in fiscal 2020. Fifteen school clusters in the system are over capacity this fiscal year.

Most of the school systems growth has occurred in elementary schools, he said.

Of the 14 classroom addition projects, 12 are proposed for elementary schools.

Starr recommended five addition projects at elementary schools in the Downcounty Consortium, an area that he said has faced the countys largest growth in the last six years.

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Starr proposes $1.55 billion capital improvements program budget -- Gazette.Net

NEW CUMBERLAND-Every five years, administrators with Hancock County Schools sit down and decide how they are going to use the excess levy that voters have been passing since 1949.

The excess levy, which is up for renewal again on Nov. 9, represents about 16 percent of the school district's total budget and pays for many of the extras that Hancock County residents have come to expect of their schools.

"This is a very important part of the educational system," Superintendent Suzan Smith said. "This levy helps with all the things that the state does not pay for. There are a lot of programs that we wouldn't have without it."

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While the levy, if passed, will continue to pay for things such as technology upgrades, building repairs, computer software and autism programs, district officials are anticipating a significant reallocation of funds in at least one category: security improvements.

Specifically, they want to expand the Prevention Resource Officer (PRO) program by hiring officers for the district's three elementary schools-Allison Elementary in Chester, New Manchester Elementary and Weirton Elementary, currently under construction. The latter, scheduled to be completed in time for the 2014-2015 school year, will unite Broadview, Liberty and Weirton Heights Elementary schools under one roof.

"In light of what has happened on a national level, we feel it is important to establish PRO officers in the elementary schools," Smith said. "The need for safety and security in the schools has never been more paramount."

The school district already has PRO officers in the two middle schools and the two high schools, but the program is getting increasingly difficult to fund as state assistance continues to dwindle. By making the PRO program part of the levy, the district would ensure funding for the elementary school officers through 2019.

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School excess levy on ballot in Hancock County

HVAC Brain, Inc. announces the addition of Elster American Meter gas meter products to their online product offering. Rotary meters and diaphragm meters manufactured by Elster American Meters are now available at competitive prices online at http://www.hvacbrain.com/Elster-American-Meter-s/2228.htm.

Cleveland, OH - HVAC Brain, Inc. (www.hvacbrain.com), retailer of HVAC/R equipment and replacement parts, will now offer gas meter products. HVAC Brain will be carrying rotary and diaphragm gas meters by Elster American Meter.

Elster American Meter has been leading the natural gas control and measurement industry for over 160 years. With innovation at the forefront of design, Elster American Meter continues to improve the accuracy and the service life of gas meters. High-quality gas meters by Elster American Meter are suitable replacements for existing gas meters, and can be used as an addition to measure and regulate split gas lines.

HVAC Brain has expanded their online product offering to further support HVAC professionals who work with natural gas. Elster American Meter is the first gas meter product line that will be carried by HVAC Brain. Initially, HVAC Brain will be carrying rotary and diaphragm gas meters manufactured by Elster American Meter, and plans to expand their online gas meter offering in the future. Existing natural gas-related products offered by HVAC Brain include handheld gas detectors and pressure gauges.

To browse Elster American Meter products, visit http://www.hvacbrain.com/Elster-American-Meter-s/2228.htm.

Why shop at HVACbrain.com:

HVAC Brain, Inc. is a fast growing retailer of HVAC/R equipment and replacement parts. At HVACbrain.com, HVAC professionals and maintenance managers can find wide variety of hand-picked high quality HVAC products such as Solar Water Heaters, Heat Pump Hose Kits, Energy Recovery Ventilators, and HVAC coils. With HVAC Brains tight vendor relationships, customers can choose and order products without worrying about the quality of products HVAC Brain offers.

Contact Info: HVAC Brain, Inc. 9545 Midwest Avenue, Unit A - Cleveland, Ohio 44125, 216-663-4822.

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HVAC Brain Inc. Adds Gas Meters from Elster American Meter

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) October 20, 2013

Salt Lake City furnace repair, tune ups and replacements by Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air will come with discounts this season because Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air is offering a coupon for a $29 dollar furnace tune up or a coupon for $100 off of any heater replacement or installation. Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air understands that the current economic conditions warrant the best savings possible and Scott Hale is here to help. We are offering this deal as a way to help people get their Salt Lake City furnaces and heaters fixed for the lowest price available, says Timothy of Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air in Salt Lake City. We are hoping a lot of people take advantage of this furnace repair and heater repair coupon while it lasts.

Salt Lake City furnace repair and heating service performed by Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air is performed by experienced and licensed Salt Lake City HVAC professionals who will perform their work efficiently for lowest cost, while treating your home or business as they would their own according to Scott Hale, We do everything we can to impress our customers. Usually its the little things that people dont expect that ends up helping people use us again in the future. They have many Salt Lake City furnace and heater repair trucks and they perform all repairs at the customers location. "Our Salt Lake City furnace repair and replacement trucks are well stocked with parts and most of the time we can make a repair without having to order parts," says Timothy.

Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air has many years of experience handling furnace repair, heating service, heater repair and furnace replacement, and we always treat our customers right, said Timothy. They have many positive online furnace repair reviews from respected consumer review sites such as Google, Yahoo and Yelp. Reaction to the coupon has been very good so far says Timothy, We just announced this furnace repair coupon but already we have had people say this makes us the best value.

Furnace repair in West Valley can be complicated and finding the parts can be difficult according to Timothy of Scott Hale, Many people get frustrated when their furnace breaks. Some people try to repair the furnace themselves. Some are successful but most are not. We recommend saving your time and letting professional furnace repairmen get the job done right the first time.

This season is especially busy for Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air because of dropping temperatures and increased furnace use by residents of Salt Lake City. We get a lot of calls for Salt Lake City heater repair in the winter, especially in the beginning because the heater hasnt been run all summer and sometimes parts wear out, says Timothy. We recommend the best furnace repair in Salt Lake City we can for the situation. Most of the time a furnace can be repaired but sometimes the furnace must be replaced. The $100 off Salt Lake City furnace replacement coupon can really save people money.

Scott Hale Plumbing Heating & Air Murray UT (801) 783-2738

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Salt Lake City Furnace Repair Contractor Scott Hale Plumbing, Heating & Air Announces Discount on Heater Tune Up for ...

John Carter thinks in binders and boilers.

The bookshelves in his maintenance shop office are lined with structural and environmental reports. His cabinets are organized school by school.

This trove of data forms the basis of both the school districts big picture building plan and its yearly building reserve priorities.

Carters office began taking a hard look at the condition of schools about a decade ago, commissioning reviews of major facility components seismic stability, HVAC systems, accessibility and more at every school.

Once the studies were completed in 2008, Carter, director of support services for Helena Public Schools, presented an overview of each school, one at a time, during school board meetings. It took almost two years.

The district then created long-range plans, first with an in-depth study by Mosaic Architecture completed last January, and then with an operational report presented by Superintendent Kent Kultgen in March.

The studies yielded upwards of$60 million in so-called deferred maintenance and other targeted facilities projects well beyond the funding provided by a building reserve levy.

But the plan, Carter said, helps him determine what projects to invest in, and which may be better addressed by a bond issue.

Its juggling when you have twice as many project costs as you have money, he said.

So, where does the tax money go?

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Where does the money from building reserve levies go?

HVAC Brain, Inc. has expanded their online product offering to include commercial heaters and cooling products manufactured by Airtherm. These Airtherm products are now available at competitive prices online at http://www.hvacbrain.com.

Cleveland, OH - HVAC Brain, Inc. (www.hvacbrain.com), retailer of HVAC/R equipment and replacement parts, has added the entire line of Airtherm's high-quality commercial heating and cooling products to their online product offering.

Airtherm, a Mestek Company, has a 50-year reputation as a manufacturer of leading commercial heating and cooling products. Airtherm products include unit heaters, fan coils, air handlers, and hot water unit heaters. HVAC Brain offers Airtherm products at competitive price points with fast shipping, and boasts especially quick shipping times for Airtherm's unit heaters. HVAC Brain's support staff is on-hand to provide technical support for Airtherm products.

Airtherm's line of hot water unit heaters and steam/hot water unit heaters are direct replacements for unit heaters manufactured by Sterling, Beacon-Morris, and Vulcan Radiators. These high-quality Airtherm products are offered with a variety of features designed to fit the wide needs of commercial heating applications. The addition of Airtherm's quality heating products is an excellent complement to HVAC Brain's existing heating products offering, which includes products by manufacturers such as Modine (http://www.hvacbrain.com/Modine-Hot-Dawg-s/1752.htm) and Qmark (http://www.hvacbrain.com/Qmark-s/1677.htm).

To browse the complete line of Airtherm products, visit http://www.hvacbrain.com/Airtherm-s/1786.htm.

Why shop at HVACbrain.com:

HVAC Brain, Inc. is a fast growing retailer of HVAC/R equipment and replacement parts. At HVACbrain.com, HVAC professionals and maintenance managers can find wide variety of hand-picked' high quality HVAC products such as Solar Water Heaters, Heat Pump Hose Kits, Energy Recovery Ventilators, and HVAC coils. With HVAC Brain's tight vendor relationships, customers can choose and order products without worrying about the quality of products HVAC Brain offers.

Contact Info: HVAC Brain, Inc. 9545 Midwest Avenue, Unit A - Cleveland, Ohio 44125, 216-663-4822.

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HVAC Brain Inc. Will Now Carry Airtherm Commercial Heating and Cooling Products

Pennsauken, NJ One of the world's largest providers of products and services to the energy industry (oil & gas) is replacing potentiometers with Macro Sensors LVDT Linear Position Sensors as a critical position feedback component on its down hole drilling equipment. Installed on a rotary steerable drilling system as part of the steering mechanism, Macro Sensors LVDT Position Sensors provide feedback on radial positions of the drill bit for proper geosteering and optimum wellbore placement for faster, more accurate and safer drilling operations.

High vibrations caused by the drill's impact with medium to hard surfaces caused potentiometers, previously used to provide position feedback, to fail prematurely. As a result, pots had to be replaced each time the drill was serviced, which was typically around 200 hours. Macro Sensors LVDT Position Sensors offer a longer life solution that provide reliable position feedback under the hostile conditions and high vibrations inherent to down hole drilling. Utilizing modern materials and construction techniques, Macro Sensors built its LVDT Linear Position Sensors to withstand high vibrations up to 20G, temperatures up to 400 and high pressures up to 35,000 psi.

Interfacing with a conventional differential input LVDT signal conditioner, the LVDT Position Sensors provide position feedback to operators at the surface, where drilling performance data can be continuously monitored at both the rig site and remote locations.

For more information on Macro Sensors LVDT Position Sensors and its custom capabilities, please refer to the web site at http://www.macrosensors.com/position_sensor_selection_guide.html or contact sales at postionsensors@macrosensors.com.

About Macro Sensors Macro Sensors' extensive line of LVDT-based linear and rotary sensors are used for linear position measurement and feedback in a variety of industrial applications including factory automation and motion control systems, as well as for valve position sensing in steam and gas turbine power plants. Incorporated in 1994, the Company offers more than 400 years of cumulative LVDT design and manufacturing experience by its key staff in serving its OEM and end-user international customer base. In June, 2005, Macro Sensors was acquired by AST, a manufacturer of state-of-the-art MEMS-based pressure sensors, transducers, and transmitters. AST sensor products are used in industrial OEM products, hydraulic systems, fuel cells, medical gas test systems, HVAC/R, oil & gas exploration/production, and off-road vehicles. For more information on AST products and technology, visit the AST website at http://www.astsensors.com.

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LVDT Linear Position Sensors Serve as Reliable Replacements to Pots On High Vibration ...

HVAC Brain, Inc. announces the addition of Belimo products to their online product offering. The full line of Belimo damper actuators and control valves is now available at competitive prices online at http://www.hvacbrain.com.

Cleveland, OH HVAC Brain, Inc. (www.hvacbrain.com), retailer of HVAC/R equipment and replacement parts, now carries the entire line of Belimo products, which includes damper actuators, control valves, and retrofit solutions.

Belimo is well-known globally as a leader in damper actuator and valve design and manufacturing. Using innovative technology in the design of their products, Belimo solutions are ideal for maintaining energy efficiency in commercial buildings. Belimo's line of actuators include spring return, non-spring return, electronic fail-safe, fire, and smoke actuators. The company's line of valves include ball, globe, butterfly, and zone valves, and meet a wide range of HVAC needs. Belimo's retrofit valves are ideal replacements for many top manufacturers including Honeywell, Johnson Controls, Apollo, Robertshaw, and Siemens.

Belimo damper actuators and control valves are suited for use in commercial applications. HVAC Brain, Inc. offers competitive pricing on all Belimo actuator and valve products, as well as quick shipping for convenience. HVAC Brain, Inc.'s technical staff is available by phone or email to answer any questions about Belimo line of products.

To browse the complete line of Belimo products, visit http://www.hvacbrain.com/Belimo-s/2948.htm.

Why shop at HVACbrain.com:

HVAC Brain, Inc. is a fast growing retailer of HVAC/R equipment and replacement parts. At HVACbrain.com, HVAC professionals and maintenance managers can find wide variety of hand-picked' high quality HVAC products such as Solar Water Heaters, Heat Pump Hose Kits, Energy Recovery Ventilators, and HVAC coils. With HVAC Brain's tight vendor relationships, customers can choose and order products without worrying about the quality of products HVAC Brain offers.

Contact Info: HVAC Brain, Inc. 9545 Midwest Avenue, Unit A Cleveland, Ohio 44125 216-663-4822

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HVAC Brain Inc. Offers Full Line of Belimo Products

RALEIGH Projects at the N.C. Zoo in Randolph County and Town Creek Indian Mound in Montgomery County were among those approved recently by the state.

The Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) released the 2013-14 Repair and Renovation Reserve project list Tuesday consisting of 191 recommended construction projects totaling $90 million.

The projects are located statewide; some may soon be ready for bid and all will offer a boost to North Carolinas construction industry. Because the majority of the projects are under $500,000 and do not require bonding, smaller-sized construction firms and historically underutilized businesses can remain competitive in the bid process.

Among the projects to be bid are two at the N.C. Zoo. Officials have allocated $617,000 for HVAC and air handling units replacements in the Sonora Desert pavilion. Also on the list is road repaving repairs for the zoos tram roadway at a cost of $368,000.

Town Creek Indian Mound will receive $226,000 for repainting the visitor center inside and out, replacing some flooring and resurfacing the facilitys parking lot and drive.

The total amount appropriated by the General Assembly to fund the Repair and Renovations Reserve Account was $150 million, $60 million allocated to the UNC Board of Governors and $90 million to OSBM for state agencies. OSBM consulted with the state construction office in the Department of Administration to determine which projects to prioritize. The UNC system will provide a separate list of their planned projects.

Project types include fire alarm and security system maintenance and repair, exterior building repair and waterproofing, and repair and replacement of HVAC and climate control units. This list is not limited to the state government complex in Raleigh, but includes projects statewide.

Now that OSBM has released the list of projects, the next step is for the General Assemblys Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations to meet and review the list. Depending on when that occurs, it is possible that many of these projects will be available for bids and have a contract in place before Christmas.

For a detailed listing, see the complete list at http://www.nc-sco.com/scodata/special/OSBM-RR-Memo-Report.pdf.

More:
State OKs funds for N.C. Zoo, Town Creek repairs

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) October 06, 2013

Currently, owners of existing homes can receive federal tax credits and rebates in their area for various energy-saving home improvement projects. However, these incentives wont be around forever; some are expiring at the end of this year. As a residential and commercial building contractor, Jared Mellick of Universal Roof & Contracting is always aware of energy efficiency and ways to reduce negative environmental impacts. He recommends that homeowners and their contractors should consider building choices together, and see which rebates and credits apply.

In accordance with the American Tax Payer Relief Act of 2012, owners of existing homes can receive tax credits of up to 10% of the cost of components when upgrading the efficiency of their building's envelope. Universal Roof & Contracting services and products that meet Energy Star standards and fulfill the federal tax rebate requirements include qualifying installations for Roofing, Insulation, Windows, Doors, Skylights, and Lighting Fixtures & Hardware. These products not only slash a homeowners energy bill, but perform better and reduce the energy/pollution impact on the environment.

TAX CREDITS EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2013

Building contractors can assist homeowners with the following product categories. It must be an existing home and principal residence; new construction and rentals do not qualify for the tax credit.

1. Insulation The tax credit is 10% of cost, up to $500. Typical bulk insulation products can qualify, such as batts, rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards, expanding spray, and pour-in-place. A good contractor should be able to recommend the most beneficial type of insulation for a particular home. Products that air seal (reduce air leaks) can also qualify, as long as they come with a Manufacturers Certification Statement; they include weather stripping, spray foam in a can, caulk designed to air seal, and house wrap. These products are usually installed as part of other home projects. Although tax credits do NOT include installation costs, Universal Roof & Contracting recommends that a contractor does the installation, especially for products that require certified installers for honoring warranties.

2. Roofs (Metal & Asphalt) The tax credit is 10% of cost, up to $500. A good contractor should be able to help the homeowner meet the requirements of installing a metal roof with appropriate pigmented coating or an asphalt roof with appropriate cooling granules that also meet ENERGY STAR requirements.

3. Windows & Doors The tax credit is 10% of cost, up to $500; windows are capped at $200. The homeowner does not have to replace all the windows, doors, or skylights in the home to qualify. Replacing as well as adding windows and doors (where there wasn't one previously qualifies. The tax credit does NOT include installation costs. A good contractor should be able to guide the homeowner in selecting qualifying products.

RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY REBATE PROGRAMS

Mellick also recommends that homeowners check their local area for incentive rebates currently being offered, and take advantage of both rebates and tax credits. Residential customers may qualify for rebates on duct repair, attic insulation upgrades, heat pump replacements, energy efficient windows, wall insulation upgrades, reflective roofing installation and solar water heaters. Commercial customers may qualify for rebates on building envelope improvements, HVAC equipment (or system related) improvements, indoor lighting improvements and industrial energy improvements.

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Universal Roof & Contracting Alerts Homeowners to Expiring Residential Energy-Saving Tax Credits