Ventilation designs for elementary schools OK'd

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The District 88 Board of Education on Tuesday approved designs for new ventilation systems in Jefferson and Washington Elementary schools.

Unlike the traditional systems in place now, the new systems are dual-duct, with a separate duct feeding fresh air into each classroom.

Sensors in classrooms will measure temperature, carbon dioxide and humidity, kicking respective systems into gear to optimize comfort and energy efficiency.

"Uncoupling" ventilation from heating and cooling will help solve mold issues that have plagued buildings in the past, officials explained. The new systems will also use "recovered energy" to heat or cool the fresh air, thus helping save on energy. A side benefit will be the reduction of noise.

The systems will cost about $7.8 million and will be paid for with 20-year bonds.

Facilities Director Scott Hogen walked the school board through the design details of the project. He showed diagrams with the location of new mechanical rooms and ducts, assuring the board that changes to the buildings will be as small as possible.

He noted, for example, that in some cases ceilings will "drop" about 6 inches, which is better than the originally-projected foot and a half.

The designs were developed by a group of engineering companies and reviewed by an independent consultant, said Hogen.

In response to board member questions, Hogen also said that the "new" engineering solution "has been around" for "quite a few years" and is not risky or experimental.

The project will be bid during this school year, with the intention of being completed next summer.

Other elements of the project were also subject to board action Tuesday:

* The board approved the $7.8 million bond sale to pay for the upgrades.

* It awarded a $137,000 contract for the construction of a mechanical room at Jefferson school to Mankato-based Brennan Construction. The contract includes about $45,000 in demolition costs which are paid with special funds and are not part of the $7.8 million bond package. The room will house large equipment needed for the project.

* The board also authorized the development of a bid package for large mechanical equipment that needs to be bought to complete the project. Hogen explained that buying the equipment early will help avoid waits later. Also, if the school district buys the equipment directly, it will save the sales tax, Hogen said.