(12/1) In an attempt to address the school’s mechanical systems’ failure this summer, causing widespread mold issues at a high price, Fairfield Area School District is looking to do some major work within the buildings in hopes of more permanent remediation.

This past August, after an incredibly wet summer, Fairfield Area School District announced that the district was dealing with mold issues in all of its buildings. This caused the beginning of the school year to be pushed back until September 4. The area most heavily affected by the mold was the Elementary School building, with a large amount of the mold found in the upholstered furniture and underneath the desks. As part of the remediation process, the ventilation system, carpets, ceilings, curtains etc. were cleaned and approximately 300 pieces of furniture were replaced. As part of the remediation contract dehumidifier equipment was rented by the school district and ran until the buildings were switched over to the heating system. The project cost an excess of 1.5 million.

Mike Rader from the engineering firm Barton and Associates reviewed the school’s mechanical systems and offered suggestions for changes and updates. He has been reviewing the buildings since September, after the mold issue occurred. The overall goal of his proposed project is to create an environment where mold is less likely to grow and thrive in the future, by eliminating the high indoor humidity.

As discussed by Rader, most of the school’s units are beyond their useful lifespan, so he has recommended replacing a majority of the units and utilizing a two-pipe rooftop system for the high school and middle school. The air will be ducted to all classrooms, which will vary the amount of air going to each space dependent on each room’s individual needs. Additionally, each room will have its own humidity sensor in order to address the dehumidification of the entire building. Both resolutions will offer energy savings throughout the entire school. New boilers were also recommended. A similar mechanical system will be utilized in the elementary school building.

Throughout all the buildings, upgrades to the building management system will be made in order to allow better visibility and control over the new systems. All ceilings and lighting will need to come down as the pipes and ducts are being replaced/worked on. Rader recommended completely replacing the ceilings and lighting rather than trying to reuse it.

The projected useful lifespan of the new equipment is estimated to be about 15-20 years. The estimated cost of the project is $10.3 million; with the majority of the cost, approximately $7 million, allocated for remediation in the high school. In order to finance the project, the school would ask for a $10.3 million bond, which would include yearly payments of $400,000 - $500,000 per year.

As recommended by Rader and his team, the project would preferably be done all at once, instead of in phases spanning across several years. Phasing the project would be incredibly difficult. Also, as discussed, contractors are already lining up their work for the summer, so time is of the essence if the school district intends on completing this project next summer.

The other option, as presented, would be to continue utilizing dehumidifiers in the building at a price of half a million dollars for the summer months. But even purchasing dehumidifiers causes concern if the area experiences heavy rainfall like it did this past summer.

The board will need to evaluate the budget wisely, and may be looking at a full tax increase in order to budget this project. The board voted with a majority in favor of moving forward with the bond issue process. Further news on this project to follow.