Craig County Schools present $1.6 million boiler replacement plan ahead of 2026 installation

Craig County Schools officials on Dec. 4 presented a proposed heating-system replacement to the Board of Supervisors that county and school leaders say is intended to improve efficiency and reliability ahead of coming school years.

Superintendent Dr. Jason Wheeler introduced Schneider Electric representatives Abbey Wiegel and Eric Lowes, who outlined a $1,595,350 project to replace the district's 2002-era fuel-oil non-condensing boilers with propane condensing boilers, install four 1,000-gallon propane tanks, replace primary and secondary pumps and aging compression tanks, add air/dirt separators, replace associated piping, and integrate the new equipment with the schools' controls system. Schneider Electric told the board the target for physical installation is summer 2026 so the system will be ready for fall classes.

Board members asked questions about contract responsibility for propane tanks and average fill costs compared to fuel oil. Dr. Wheeler said he is investigating grants for ventilation improvements and for a generator, and that the district has applied for a generator grant though leadership responsibilities for that potential project have not been assigned. Supervisor Keith Dunbar requested a cost-saving analysis comparing oil, electric and propane options for a future meeting.

No appropriation or contract award for the boiler project was recorded in the minutes of the Dec. 4 meeting; the presentation was received as information and board members requested further cost and contract details at a later date.