Facilities staff report multi-year energy savings and outline HVAC, playground and security projects

Rich Foster, the district's energy program manager and energy educator, and Gregory Cicero, the district's new director of facilities and operations, updated the board on operations, energy savings, building upgrades and ongoing capital projects.

Foster described the district's building management and monitoring systems, real‑time dashboards and a long‑running energy program he said has delivered multimillion‑dollar savings over its life. He presented a cumulative savings figure the district reported as roughly $2.7 million and said the program incurred about $957,000 in startup costs; staff described a multiyear baseline adjustment process that normalizes for weather and activity.

"When an environment is well controlled and well ventilated, the outcomes for students and teachers happens to be exponentially better than it is in a room that's poorly ventilated," Foster said, stressing ventilation and scheduled setbacks for holidays as opportunities to save energy while protecting indoor air quality.

Staff described building dashboards that flag anomalies, heat‑maps of occupancy, and recent installation of submeters to give more granular data. Foster also described analysis to reduce peak demand, saying targeted 1% peak reductions could meaningfully lower district electric demand (he cited a 93 kilowatt example at the high school as an illustration of potential savings if peaks are trimmed).

The facilities team reviewed recent and planned capital work. Highlights included:

- Violet Avenue: conversion of a steam boiler system to a hot‑water system, installation of unit ventilators in classrooms and variable refrigerant flow condensers; contractors were finishing commissioning and comfort testing as outdoor temperatures rose. - Haviland: completed auditorium renovation and a completed security vestibule. - Ralph R. Smith: new bus loop, staff parking and landscaping; punch‑list work continuing. - Phase 3A at FDR High School: project kickoff occurred March 11; general contractor is Ferrari & Sons, mechanical contractor S&O Construction Services and electrical contractor South Stow Electric; asbestos abatement and domestic water tank work were scheduled for spring break. - Phase 3B: planned security vestibules at Netherwood, North Park, Hyde Park Elementary and the District Office; a new well and water‑treatment facility at Netherwood; and a new septic system for the District Office.

The team described inclusion projects designed to improve accessibility, including installation of ADA lifts for stage access, new playground safety surfacing to replace mulch at some sites and outdoor instructional shade structures.

Facilities reported routine maintenance workload: the team listed a multi‑year total of work orders (thousands since July) and said most are closed; the department currently has about 45 staff with several vacancies, officials said.

Foster also described student outreach and sustainability education including ecology and gardening clubs and a demonstration ride on an electric school bus.

Board members asked questions about timelines and contractor selection. Cicero said many contractors for the high‑school phase have previously worked with the district and that abatement and certain renovation steps are scheduled during school breaks to limit disruption.

The board requested status updates, including confirmation about vestibule work at Violet Avenue and ongoing punch‑list completion at Ralph R. Smith.