Air Conditioning Capital Project

Annual average temperatures warmed 1.4ºF from 1951-2012.   Average low temperatures have warmed at over twice the rate of average high temperatures.

The number of accumulated cooling degree days has increased by 15% from 1951-2012, while heating degree days fell by 6%. The report also provides a projected future climate forecast for the Buffalo area that states:

• Average temperatures will continue to rise by 3-5ºF in the region through mid-century
• More high temperature days are expected to increase with rising average temperatures

The addition of air-conditioned units to our classrooms presents an opportunity to improve air filtration to these classrooms. This is being completed through enhanced filtration that includes Ultra Violet light systems. The system will provide a higher mechanical filtration capacity up to and including MERV 13. It will further utilize UVGI, electrostatic precipitation, ion generation, and/or point ionization methods. The exact unit installed will meet New York State Educational Department requirements.

Six Elementary buildings are represented by only three building types: Dodge (1953) is a stand-alone model, while Forest (1955) and Maple East (1959) are “twins”, and Maple West (1966), Heim Elementary (1966) and Country Parkway (1968) are “triplets”. All six building had classroom additions erected in 1992 of similar construction, which are already 30 years old. The original buildings and at least some of their equipment and infrastructure date back to their original construction date which is between 54 and 69 years old. This project will update/replace original equipment with new equipment as it relates to certain aspects of heating/ventilation motors, air handlers and new ductwork. The modern technology will meet current efficiency standards, codes, and regulations.

Dodge, Forest, and Maple East. All three schools have their original “steam boiler” systems. Although the original boilers have been replaced, the schools heating systems are the same as when the schools were built. This project provides an opportunity to either replace those boilers with hot water boilers, or install the heat-exchanger equipment to allow this change to happen in the (near) future. This will improve heating efficiency in these schools.

Perhaps an understated element of this project is the improvement of the building envelope by sealing cracks and penetrations that are prevalent around windows, doors, and certain areas of external masonry. The District will address as many of these areas as possible.

A: Currently, the Casey Middle School 2000 addition, Transit Middle School, and Williamsville East High School have air conditioning.  Our schools have an average age of 60 years old (built between 1949-1993) and do not have air conditioning. At the time they were built, air conditioning and the associated infrastructure was not a consideration.

A:  The District recognizes the importance of providing an educational environment that is welcoming.  Hotter weather in the fall when the school year begins followed by hotter weather in the spring and summer as the school year ends, can impact classroom environments.  For example, when daytime temperatures are 80-degrees or higher, or our region experiences extreme humidity, our schools do not cool down rapidly at night prior to the next school day.  In addition, the installation of air conditioning would allow for improved filtration systems as an added mitigation practice as we near the endemic phase of the COVID-19 global health pandemic.

A: The District recognizes the impact a learning environment can have on its youngest students.   It is critical that these students begin their path to learning in an environment that presents them with the highest degree of success.  This makes the elementary schools the logical starting point to phase-in this capital project.

A:  Yes, as stated previously, the installation of air conditioning would allow for improved filtration systems as an added mitigation practice as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 global health pandemic.  The new system will increase school filtration to the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV) 13.  This is a plus-5 (+5) rating increase in our MERV filtration system.

A: Yes, many of our schools original heating system components will be replaced, which will modernize and add efficiency to both the heating and air conditioning.  Elementary school classroom cabinetry will be replaced along the window walls and school building efficiency will be improved by searching for and sealing areas in the building structures.

A: On May 17, 2022, our community approved the School Building Air Conditioning bond proposition in an amount of $64,119,318.  The District's architect and construction manager worked cooperatively with our staff to create the required plans for submission to the New York State Education Department.  In early October 2023, our plans for this capital project were approved by the New York State Education Department.  The District proceeded with a bid process that resulted in the receipt of bids in December 2023.  The bid costs were substantially over our capital project budget and therefore the District was unable to proceed with the project at this time.  It was determined by the District and our professional consultants that the budget overages were due to a number of factors including the shortage of contractor availability due to major construction projects that were occurring in Western New York which coincided with our construction schedule.  Upon reviewing all of the pertinent financial and construction information it was determined that adjustments would be made to the project design and construction schedule which would yield cost savings and the District would request additional funding from our community in a May 2024, proposition.  The additional funding totaled $22,960,000.  The majority of the additional funding was from our capital reserve funds.  The use of capital reserve funds, similar to a personal savings account, meant that that this additional funding would not increase future general fund budgets.  The new project budget became $87,079,318.

A: Yes, the District will receive an estimated reimbursement of 68.7% of all qualifying expenses for this project.  It is estimated that the District will receive an estimated $3.7 million per year over a fifteen-year period of time.

A: The original School Building Air Conditioning Project was voted on the May 17, 2022 ballot.  Additional funding was approved by voters on the May 21, 2024 ballot.

A: This project is now being completed over two phases.  Phase 1 impacts Country Parkway, Heim, and Maple West elementary schools.  Phase 2 impacts Dodge, Forest, and Maple East elementary schools.

Phase 1 begins in December of 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in 2027.  Phase 2 begins in 2026 and involves Dodge, Forest, and Maple East.  Phase 2 is anticipated to be completed in 2028.

A: Construction for the School Building Air Conditioning Project will take place throughout the school year, thus impacting some classrooms.  Our construction team is developing plans to minimize the disruption to classroom learning while completing the project work as soon as possible.  Not every school will be under construction at the same time and there is the potential for temporary classroom spaces to be located on school sites to provide a safe and clean learning environment for students when their classroom space is under construction.

Prior to construction beginning, the District will ensure proper educational spaces are available to students and teachers so their work can continue.