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BRICK – More schools within the Brick Township School District have been added to a list of those that are set to receive new HVAC Projects within the next year.
At the December Board of Education meeting, the board members approved another $1.3 million in projects for new or upgraded heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Currently, out of the 12 schools that make up the district, 10 schools do not have any air conditioning. Only Brick Township High School and Brick Memorial High School have fresh air intake air conditioning.
In the past, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Farrell said it could cost them some $50 million to have all the systems installed. These air conditioning and HVAC system projects are being funded through the district’s capital budget. In addition, the projects are partially funded by the state from the $7.5 million that was granted to the district late last year, which was obtained from federal pandemic relief measures.
The projects will include installing air conditioning systems as well as efficiency upgrades at Lanes Mill Elementary, Emma Havens Young Elementary, Drum Point Elementary, and Lake Riviera Middle School as well as now Brick Memorial High School and Veterans Memorial Middle School.
These projects will include several improvements such as replacing rooftop-mounted HVAC units and reconstructing interior plant facilities. These upgrades will give the schools air conditioning and better air filtration. Projects are set to be accomplished throughout the summer of 2023.
Earlier this year, the bond measure of each individual project was approved. During the November meeting, members voted to allocate the funding to subsequently allow contracts to be awarded.
The previous breakdown of the costs for each school, along with its contractors, were as followed:
- Drum Point ES: DeSesa Engineering Company, Inc. – $2,948,000
- Emma Havens Young ES: Preferred Mechanical Inc. – $3,049,000
- Veterans Memorial ES: Preferred Mechanical – $2,649,000
- Lake Riviera MS (no contract awarded yet) – $4,657,000 appropriated
However, at the December meeting, members voted to approve revisions. The single revision consisted of appropriating $1,748,412.04 for Emma Havens Young ES instead of $474,767.93, bringing it to a new total of $12,002,412.04 to fund these projects.
Additionally, more funds were appropriated at the December meeting which included adding more schools to the list to receive upgrades:
Brick Memorial HS – $105,000; Veterans Memorial MS – $373,000; Lake Riviera MS – $305,500; Veterans Memorial ES – $190,000; Emma Havens Young ES – $219,000; and Drum Point ES – $147,000; totaling to $1,339,500.
Although these projects are set to be finished during the summer season next year, Business Administrator James Edwards stated that the end date had been potentially impacted, stating that the projects at VMMS may need an additional 12 months or more for the equipment.
