The Facilities Committee heard progress updates on Proposition 5 electrical and HVAC upgrades across multiple schools and was told the district has encountered electrical switchgear compatibility issues at some sites.

Project presenters said phase 1 work included abatement and replacement of unit ventilators at Temple Hill Academy, Meadow Hill and Gidney Avenue Elementary. The team reported about 110 unit ventilators installed between Meadow Hill and Temple Hill and about 16 unit ventilators at Gidney. Presenters said the Gidney units were started up successfully and are operating for both cooling and heating.

Presenters also described difficulties connecting cooling to existing switchgear at Temple Hill because some legacy switchgear lacked the capacity or compatibility for the new loads; the presenters said the heating side could be connected but cooling would require a workaround that would be costly to the district. Meadow Hill remains under coordination between the design team and district staff to reach a solution. The team said phase 2 switchgear and pre-procured components are now being installed at Bonneville Elementary School, Foster Town School and Gardnertown Leadership Academy and that those schools are on schedule for August 18 operation.

The committee reviewed photos of condensers on pads, new panels and unit ventilators in classrooms. Presenters cautioned that potential change orders and contract allowances are being used in final push work and said they are monitoring allowances on general, mechanical and electrical contracts as they near substantial completion dates.

No formal vote or funding change was recorded on the Proposition 5 items during this meeting. Presenters noted SED approvals and BOE approvals previously completed for phases discussed.