By Jason Arndt
Correspondent
Raymond School officials are attempting to borrow $1.9 million – and only spend $1.9 million – for expected upgrades to the school, according to District Superintendent Joe Dawidziak.
The Raymond School Board on Feb. 24 passed a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of up to $1.9 million in general obligation promissory notes to pay the cost of energy efficiency improvements, remodeling, upgrades and repairs at Raymond School.
At the school board’s March 17 meeting, those in attendance learned about the total costs to fully upgrade the school building, according to a two-month study conducted by the engineering firm, McKinstry.
Upgrades mentioned include a list of priority improvements such as replacement of a heating/ventilation/air conditioning system that was approved in a 2004 referendum by voters.
“Typically on mechanical units like ventilation systems, the life expectancy is about 20 years, so you are around the midway point,” said McKinstry Program Manager, Harlan Ward. “I think part of the issue is the cooling coil.”
During a Community Workshop held Oct. 1, board members explained to residents that Raymond School has issues with excessive moisture, which caused mold buildup in the school prior to the 2011 school year.
Ward explained March 17 that the only way to fix HVAC systems is to remove the entire unit and replace it with new ventilators and a cooling system.
McKinstry Engineer Dan Choi told board members about two other problem areas needing to be addressed after consulting people at the school.
“We did prioritize our list after talking with staff and faculty at the school,” Choi said. “What we saw is roughly $3 (million) to $4 million worth of energy and operational projects.”
However, concrete numbers will not be available until April 14, when McKinstry will have further investigated each item contained in the summary.
Additionally, McKinstry has discovered an inconsistent roofing system with a sagging roof structure above two classrooms at the school, which was built in 1961.
“What we are doing is looking at that structurally to see what is going on and take a look at whether it is safe structurally,” Ward said.
He said the firm’s cost figures include an entire roof replacement with additional insulation and a new roof membrane.
McKinstry recommends removing the entire roof and replacing it with fiberboard insulation of 0.5 inches. The gymnasium will require 1.5-inch insulation with a new roof membrane. Cost estimation for replacement of the roof is $500,000.
Plumbing contractors determined the school is in need of new plumbing systems, which will require removing all floor tiles and concrete foundations within the building to address concerns of exposed pipes beneath the school.
“We had a contractor come through and do a video camera look at the plumbing systems,” Ward said, which found indications that the pipes have deteriorated.
Board members Jim Linstroth expressed concern about potential asbestos contamination during a potential sewer system replacement.
“According to your state survey all of your asbestos in the tiling and flooring was abated in June of 2003,” Ward replied.
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