By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education members were steaming Tuesday evening when they learned the price tag for two new boilers at two old elementary buildings.
The $333,884 cost may drain some of the money the district had planned for hiring personnel specifically to help students catch up after a year of COVID. That funding is also being eyed to pay for cooling systems at the three school buildings that don’t have air conditioning.
The board voted unanimously – and very reluctantly – to approve the boiler replacements.
“I know we have to have the boilers,” board member Ryan Myers said. But it should not be at the cost of staffing and programming for students. “That’s upsetting.”
The price tag for the boilers is a lot to sink into two aging elementaries, he said.
“It’s not even building improvements – it’s building survival,” Myers said. “What’s next?”
“This money could go to better uses,” he said.
Superintendent Francis Scruci agreed.
“Feel free to get on that soapbox. That’s how we all feel,” Scruci said.
Board member Ginny Stewart also expressed her displeasure.
“It’s throwing good money into bad buildings,” she said. “It’s costing us in so many ways.”
Board member Jill Carr pointed out that the boiler replacements would not be necessary if voters had supported the ballot issue to build a new elementary.
“The community doesn’t support it,” Carr said. “That’s so frustrating.”
“You’re preaching to the choir,” Scruci said.
Last school year, Conneaut Elementary had to close on very cold days after the boiler broke down. Conneaut, Kenwood and the high school have had to close on extremely hot days because of the lack of air conditioning.
“We can’t make school optional” because of extreme temperatures, Scruci said. “We’re losing instructional days.”
Board President Norm Geer asked about other sources of funding – so the boilers and the programming could be afforded.
“We’re abandoning something necessary,” Geer said of the staffing and programming.
“We’re not abandoning anything yet,” Scruci said, explaining that the district is still looking at how to meet both needs.
The school district has received $1.4 million in the second round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, and may get as much as $3.1 million in the third round. At least 20% of the third funding round must be used to deal with learning loss during COVID.
Treasurer Cathy Schuller said the district had budgeted $200,000 in ESSER funds for the boilers. But the costs are much higher than expected.
Engineer Kent Buehrer was called by the district in April when the boiler at Conneaut ceased to function. The decision was made to study the replacement of that boiler plus one of two boilers at Kenwood Elementary that no longer worked.
Initially, Buehrer thought the bill might be about $100,000 each for the two elementary boilers. However, several logistical issues led that bill to continue climbing upward.
Asbestos insulation and mercury switches have already been removed. The functioning boiler at Kenwood is sitting behind the boiler that still works. To get the broken boiler out, the doorway must be enlarged.
A new flue must be installed up through the roof at Kenwood, with the roof warranty being maintained, Buehrer explained.
At Conneaut, the boiler is in an internal room, so an exterior wall must be removed. Concrete pads will be needed at both schools.
“It will be labor intensive to get these boilers out,” Buehrer said.
The bill is also greater due to the jump in building supply costs since COVID, he added.
By time all the logistics were considered and the bids submitted, removing the old boilers, buying and installing the new ones will cost $333,884.
Stewart asked if the new boilers could be moved to new facilities if the district ever constructs new buildings. Buehrer said it would be unlikely.
“Almost nobody puts in steam boilers” in new buildings, he said.
The new boilers would have some salvage value, he added.
The project must be completed by the end of Septemer – but it will be tight, Buehrer said.
“Ideally, you don’t start boiler projects this time of the year,” he said.
But Scruci said the boilers will be in operation by time cold weather hits.
“We’re going to have heat as of Sept. 30,” he said.
“That’s the plan,” Buehrer said.
As for cooling, Myers reported that the district facilities committee was recommending that the district use ESSER 3 funds to pay for mini-split air conditioning systems for Conneaut, Kenwood and the high school.
The mini-splits would cool down the buildings and improve the air quality, he said. They are the most economical option, and will not require the expense of asbestos abatement.
These systems would also take less time to install, and could possibly be completed by next spring.
The project will be submitted this week for ESSER approval, and the district should get a decision within a couple weeks, Myers said.
