The Salem Community High School Board is beginning to make plans for a ten-million dollar improvement project that would include complete replacement of the heating and air conditioning system, new windows throughout, as well as new lighting and ceilings.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering says $6-million in funding is available through health life safety funds and $4-million through working cash bonds. Plans for the project are being moved up due to the low interest rate and the federal COVID relief money which could be used to pay for about $1-million of the project.
Detering estimates the cost of replacing the heating and cooling system at $7-million dollars which would eliminate the need for the current boiler system housed in the small building at the rear of the school. $1.8-million is the estimated cost of the window replacement, and $1.2-million for new lighting in each room and hallway along with ceiling replacement.
Detering says the window panels are rusting and are becoming difficult to open. He says the project could restore the original look of the windows at the school.
“There is an all-glass option that is extremely appealing. And the information we have is that they are still fairly energy efficient and would kind of be a nod to the look of the school in the past when it had the all-glass look.”
Detering says the new HVAC system would lower the ceilings in the hallway by 18 inches, but would do away with the duct work in the classrooms opening them up.
Detering says the project also includes removal of old HVAC components.
“Some of the old heating and cooling systems we’ve had would also be taken out. Which is part of the reason why the project was a little on the expensive end but the project has a lot of asbestos abatement that goes with it when you are removing those old components.”
The board questioned the future of the current boiler building, which is also used for storage.
Detering says interest rates for the project could be in the two-percent range if current rates are taken advantage of. That compares to four percent interest paid on the last bonds issued.
The school board will further discuss moving forward on the major renovation project at its July meeting.
