Costs for Complete AC System a Concern in NHS Renovation Project

When it comes to having an air condition system installed throughout — a provision cited in the school’s massive renovation project — Board of Education Chairman David Heller made a clear point on Thursday.

“The Board of Ed. feels strongly that we want to have air conditioning,” Heller told the public during the board’s monthly meeting at . He also said, “Those are huge priorities for this board.”

But, Heller also noted whether the air condition is ultimately implemented could depend on the final costs.

“If we can afford it,” Heller added. “When the bids are out and they come back in, and (if) there’s not enough money, then we’ll discuss it further.”

Some members of the education board , making it a focal point in the $81 million renovation plan that passed at referendum last November. Currently, there is only air conditioning in certain parts of the building, while other parts, most notably the media center, can get very hot during the summer.

“Some days it can exceed 80 degrees,” said NHS Principal Janice Saam.

The board eventually wrote a prevision into a series of education specifications, which are a list of items that the board prefers to see in the final product. The “ed specs,” as they are called, which are a requirement for state reimbursement, were then handed over to the architect, Kaestle Boos Associates Inc.

But the board was confronted with conflicting reports on Thursday about that, specifically claims that the plan to implement air conditioning has been dropped from the renovation proposal altogether.

That turned out not to be true, although officials are now saying air conditioning has been named an alternate bid — meaning it’s essentially an element that could be reconsidered during the final budgeting of the total project.

“Once all the bids are in, the (NHS Building) Committee will take a look at the total cost (and) the alternative costs, and determine which has a priority," said Business Manager Wayne McAllister.

McAllister said the building will ultimately be equipped to allow for an air conditioning system, but it’s the long-term costs that could contribute to its viability. Part of the installation would mean making sure the system can be installed in the area above the ceiling.

Burgess Robert Neth said Tuesday that the cost of having air conditioning depends on maintaining it over the years rather than just the installation.

Saam said teachers would welcome having air conditioning throughout the building, as the cooler temperatures would make it a “more pleasant environment.” But she noted that there will eventually be a cost-benefit analysis, particularly whether anything will have to be given up in exchange for annual air conditioning costs.

Heller went on to note that, it’s possible the board would sacrifice something in the budget in favor of the air conditioning system.