District presents rooftop HVAC replacement plan for Thomas Jefferson and Rue elementary; community raises refrigerant and cost concerns

District facilities staff presented a packaged plan to replace end-of-life rooftop heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units at Thomas Jefferson (TJ) and Rue elementary schools and said combining projects may reduce costs and scheduling conflicts.

A facilities representative explained the TJ unit includes a large energy recovery ventilator (ERV) that has exceeded its typical 15–20-year useful life, has a refrigerant leak and mechanical problems that contribute to vibration and noise in adjacent corridors. At Rue Elementary the district said three rooftop units serving the gym and other spaces are beyond useful life; staff proposed consolidating the rooftop components into a two-unit package to simplify ductwork and future maintenance. The presentation included preliminary opinions of cost, commissioning and integration into the district’s controls platform and a tentative construction schedule beginning July 1 with a roughly year-long construction timeline.

Staff said industrywide refrigerant transitions are in progress: older refrigerants (for example R-22 or earlier blends) are being phased out and manufacturers are moving toward newer refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32. The presenter noted the new refrigerants have different handling considerations and are slightly flammable, though he said rooftop location reduces indoor risk. He said many existing district units use R-410A today and the industry is still adapting to supply and pricing differences; the district is vetting multiple manufacturers and expects to consider American-made options where feasible.

Board members asked technical questions about the source of noise at TJ and whether vibration isolation or ductwork changes might reduce sound. Staff said vibration isolation and ductwork adjustments are part of the design options but could increase cost. They also said the district would work with contractors on scheduling to avoid the cost premium that often results from compressing multiple projects into a single summer.

During an open public comment portion addressing the HVAC presentation, multiple residents with HVAC experience pressed the district for more detailed specifications, tonnage and bid documents; one former HVAC professional warned about risks from slightly flammable refrigerants if evaporator leaks occur and urged clear specifications and testing protocols. A member of the public asked about the total project cost; staff said detailed specifications and cost figures would be released at the board's next meeting, and one commenter referenced a preliminary figure of about $600,000 but board staff clarified formal bid documents would be provided at the subsequent meeting.

Staff indicated existing rooftop equipment is not in immediate failure mode and the district has schedule flexibility, but also acknowledged that some units may fail unexpectedly and require immediate repairs before full replacement. The district said selected vendors will be asked to integrate new equipment into the master controls platform and to include commissioning in the contract work.

No formal action or vote was taken on the HVAC projects at the workshop; district staff said the board would receive bid and specification materials and a recommended contract at a later meeting.