Norfolk Public Schools outlines multi-year facilities plan; HVAC, concrete, bus replacements prioritized

At the March 10 meeting of the Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education, district facilities staff presented a comprehensive facilities and transportation plan that prioritizes HVAC replacements, concrete repairs, restroom upgrades at Washington Elementary, junior-high stucco repairs and replacement of aging school buses.

The presentation, led by Eric Wilson (Finance and Facilities presenter), outlined condition assessments and summer project priorities for nearly every district building. Wilson said some rooftop HVAC units are still operating but are aging; concrete trip hazards around Bel Air, Little Panthers Preschool and Lincoln Elementary were repeatedly flagged as near-term safety concerns. At Washington Elementary, the plan lists multiple restroom stalls that lack doors and rusted fixtures as high-priority student- and staff-facing upgrades.

Wilson identified the high school air handler that supplies heating and cooling to the building as a top operational risk: the unit uses a single large ‘‘squirrel-cage’’ motor for air movement and parts are no longer available. The staff…