District prepared to keep classrooms cool

Temporary air conditioning units arrive in time

Roxanne McMurtry of Centre Township spoke for many parents at Aug. 23’s, Schuylkill Valley School Board meeting when she asked the board for an update about the ongoing heating and cooling system repairs in the elementary school.

The building should be cool thanks to the installation of many of the temporary air conditioning units the board had to spend $57,000 on, officials said.

Despite the district paying contractor EI Associates $8,000 to finish the HVAC job at the elementary school before classes started Thursday, Aug. 25, McMurtry, who was at a kindergarten event Monday night, Aug. 22, said the elementary school classrooms still didn’t have air conditioning, though the cafeteria was cool.

She asked the board if there would be more fans in classrooms by the end of the week.

At the July board meeting, a representative of EI Associates, Harrisburg, blamed the delay on supply chain issues and miscommunication between the contractor and the district.

Resident Don Stark asked the board about the $8,000 bonus, and if that money would be returned to the district.

Board President David E. Moll said the board was discussing the matter, including potential legal ramifications.

“Some things are going on in negotiations, which aren’t always best held in public,” Moll said.

According to Casey Blankenbiller, district director of buildings and grounds, temporary air conditioning units for the elementary school arrived Monday.

Also in July, the board was asked to consider purchasing 40 temporary air conditioning units at a cost of about $57,000.

Air conditioning for the elementary school cafeteria and gym will be up and running in time for Thursday, Blankenbiller said. Units are also in place at the middle and high schools. Some of the air conditioning units require R22 refrigerant.

“R22 is as expensive as an ounce of gold right now,” Blankenbiller said.

The district has 100 pounds of R22 in stock in case air conditioners need to be repaired.

“We’re geared up. We’re ready to go,” Blankenbiller said. “Buildings are, I’m not gonna say spotless, but given what’s going on I think we’re in a really good state.”

In other business, Superintendent Cathy L. Taschner said the district is vetting recent White House guidelines about clean air, health and safety in schools.

The new guidance could cause the district to update its Health and Safety Plan. Taschner said the specifics of the plan would be discussed at a future board meeting.