HVAC Upgrades require more than $30,000 in upgrades — more needed.

FIX IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

Our school building is showing its age, requiring more investment to replace aging infrastructure. This August it was work on three HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems that needed replacement. Thanks to the financial support of donors over many years, the Board of Trustees was able to respond immediately and work with a new contractor (at least new to St. John’s) to replace and upgrade the units with only a modest interruption to the school day.

Decades of issues made it necessary to abandon duct work under the school office quite and install a new unit along with ductwork. The new “industrial” look is also quite functional, providing conditioned air for the teacher’s workroom, school office and principal’s office. Previously relative humidity levels could reach more than 70%!

Earlier this summer the roof top unit for the kindergarten classroom failed and in the first week of the school year the 6th grade unit also needed repair. Since repairs cost more than 80% of the cost of a new one, both units were replaced ($10,500 each). However, there are NINE other identical units in service throughout the school building, and all are about the same age. We could be facing an investment of up to $100,000 if they all begin to fail. They provide both heat and AC for our classrooms, so they are not an optional item.

If you would like to help offset the cost of these AC units, or sponsor the installation of the next one, please mark your gift “School HVAC.”

APPROVED VENDOR LIST

The trustees are also working to prepare an “approved vendor list” that staff and leaders can call for ongoing repairs and maintenance without necessarily getting the approval of the trustees. Major capital investments will still require the approval of the trustees who will also coordinate the work.