WINSTED — Schools across the country have received a share of the American Rescue Plan Act funding. Like their municipalities, public school districts are required to use a strict set of rules to use the money, and it must be focused on COVID-19 recovery.
In Winsted, the Pearson School building might benefit from the ARPA funds with new air conditioning — a welcome addition, since classrooms on the second and third floors often become very warm in the spring and summer months.
Members of the Winchester Board of Education recently heard cost estimates and a project description from Fran Delany of West State Mechanical, a Torrington mechanical contracting company that provides, installs and services plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in industrial and commercial buildings.
Using ARPA and ESSER funds — the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law in December 2020, provided an additional $54.3 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, according to the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education — the district could have a new HVAC system installed at the school. HVAC systems, or those used to improve air quality, are one of the uses allowed for ARPA money.
“We are in the process of analyzing our next steps,” said Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley in an email. “We will be working to obtain detailed system information and then determine through the Board of Education, the next best steps. Our goals would be to secure air conditioning through the usage of our ARP/ESSER funds.”
The school board provided Delaney with a list of questions during the discussion. One was whether window air conditioning units could be installed in the classrooms. Delaney said it would be less expensive to do so, but that using individual units would increase electrical costs.
There are approximately 28 classrooms at Pearson. The reason for having air conditioning in all the classrooms, Brady-Shanley said, is because from May to September, the second and third floors at Pearson become extremely warm — up to 99 to 100 degrees.
“In cases like this, we have to dismiss the students early,” she said. “The primary focus (of the project) would be the classrooms.”
If the school board chose to hire West State, it would provide its own workers, including electricians, for the project.
Brady-Shanley plans to bring Delaney to Pearson School, have him identify the project, and write up a proposal. She said Delaney did not assume he was being hired at this time and that she would present his proposal formally in February to the board.
The school board’s next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 8, in the Hicks Room at Town Hall.
