The Salem Grade School District has signed a letter of intent to work with Ommni Energy Partners for upcoming facility improvements in the district.
The decision came after the board during a special meeting Thursday night discussed available financing and the projects the district would like to see completed.
Superintendent Dr. Leslie Foppe explained the role of Ommni Energy Partners.
“They are a performance contracting company. So they will help us get our HVAC system and look into our exterior doors and windows. They do any facility type improvements.”
Foppe explains what happens next.
“Prioritize our list and of course. HVAC system is number one on mine. I also want to fix the parking lots and get more lighting so we will see monetarily what we can afford. The Health, Life, Safety we will look at but also the Alternative Revenue which is the 1% sales tax will help offset that so we won’t have to increase the levy on the taxpayer.”
The board was told the HVAC replacement at Franklin Park School could cost up to five or six-million dollars if all piping was replaced, but they will be looking at lower-cost options to stay within available financing. Foppe told the board it was important to leave a revenue cushion in case emergency projects come up.
She said money also needed to be available from the 1-cent sales tax to pay for the school resource officer.
In addition to Foppe’s top three projects, she laid other work that needs to be on the list are repairs of roof leaks at Franklin Park, window and door replacement at both buildings, drainage improvements around the buildings as well as replacement of some carpeting and tile with new tile.
