Octorara board reviews major facilities work including water tank replacement and HVAC options

The Octorara Area School District facilities committee reported to the school board on a slate of capital projects and maintenance needs, highlighting a proposed $971,000 scope to replace a cracked, leaking water tank and options for a middle-school HVAC upgrade that include traditional, hybrid (partial geothermal) and full geothermal systems.

Committee members said the HVAC work will require updated electrical infrastructure and reviewed life-cycle cost comparisons and potential well locations for geothermal systems. The committee also discussed a number of other projects planned for the coming year, including asbestos abatement in five middle-school rooms, reconversion of nine rooms, track resurfacing work, and targeted roof and RTU repairs.

The committee overview underscored why the work is being considered: the current water tank has cracks and leaks, the middle-school HVAC and several rooftop units are aged or failing, and classroom and auditorium repairs are part of maintaining building safety and operations. Committee speakers said the water-tank proposal contemplates moving the…