HVAC system for elementary is expensive

- By Katie Zerr

The Mobridge-Pollock School Board Monday, Oct. 13, reviewed possible future projects, approved moving forward with a major repair and reviewed legislation that could have a considerable impact on the district.

Superintendent Tim Frederick presented the board with information on the cost of a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) at Freeman Davis School, including a number of different options. He told the board the cost of installing air conditioning to the system is close to ridiculas.

Does it make sense to put in a new HVAC system at nearly $600,000 that will last 80 years in a building that may last 30 or 40? he asked the board. One of the issues is spending that money for a couple of weeks a year. Maybe we should consider a later starting date for the school year.

He told the board there have been few problems with the system itself at the elementary school. The problem is with the boiler. Engineers who presented the HVAC information to Frederick told him the building was efficient, with a heating bill of 34 cents per square foot. Frederick said the heating cost of most buildings was 43 cents to 47 cents per square foot.

Options reviewed by the board included a geothermal system at $28.74 per square foot; natural gas boiler and cooling system with present pipe system at $19.40 per square foot; natural gas boiler with cooling and new pipe system at $23.40 per square foot; and a natural gas burner, no air conditioning a $20.40 per square foot. Freeman Davis is a 28,988 square foot building.

Another option presented is split air conditioning units. Those units (individual outside units) would cost about $5,000 per unit according to Frederick. The building would need 11 to 13 units and there would be additional costs to upgrade the electricity to handle usage. The engineers estimate for the individual units is $65,000 to $87,000 depending how many units were needed.

School Board President Harry Bingo Kindt said if the board considers the individual units, money should be set aside annually for that project and designated only for that project. He said it is something the board needs to start planning.

No action was taken on the discussion.

Elevator

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HVAC system for elementary is expensive