Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities And Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Elementary experienced cold classrooms; district outlines boiler replacement timeline and reviews HVAC units
Summary
Officials told the board of oil/boiler failures that left some classrooms cold, described temporary space‑heater fixes, and said the full boiler replacement remains about 11 months away while aging HVAC units elsewhere will be evaluated.
Hancock County School District staff reported heating problems at West Elementary and described interim steps while a longer replacement timeline proceeds.
Board members were told several classrooms at West Elementary dropped into the 50s overnight during a recent cold snap after the building lost heat because the school lacks a working boiler. Staff said they placed space heaters in affected rooms and do not anticipate the conditions preventing school operations this week, though the situation was characterized as the district’s “worst case” winter heating scenario.
A staff member told the board the district has demolition and site work remaining and that the full boiler installation is approximately 11 months away. Trustees also heard that one older rooftop unit at another school is original to the building and approaching 17–18 years of age and may need replacement; the district plans to evaluate aging units across the system.
Board members asked about timing and contingency planning; staff said they continue to monitor classrooms, replace small frozen pipes as needed and will begin longer-term replacement work when site work and demo are complete.
No formal vote was recorded on the facilities update during the meeting.
