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Nottoway schools describe multi‑million energy grants and press board for urgent HVAC funding at Crewe Primary
Summary
School officials briefed the board on federal energy and pandemic grants, said phase 2 of a $12.16 million EERE award is pending federal approval, and urged the board to commit to a $4.5 million HVAC replacement at Crewe Primary with a 70% county match to secure state and vendor timelines.
Dr. Marsha Martin, speaking for the Nottoway County School Division, told supervisors the schools have used federal and state grant dollars to complete phase 1 of a major energy project and are awaiting federal approval to begin phase 2 of a U.S. Department of Energy (EERE) grant award.
"Phase 1 was completed in fiscal year '25," Dr. Martin said. "Phase 2 can begin once that continuation application is approved. That is still sitting at the federal level waiting for the final word." She identified phase 1 work as LED lighting retrofits, sealed building envelopes, new exterior doors, boiler work and HVAC controls across multiple schools.
Dr. Martin told the board the school division also used ESSER pandemic funds (about $3.57 million) toward partial HVAC work but that Crewe Primary still needs a full HVAC replacement. She said vendors estimate a $4.5 million project cost and that the state School Construction Assistance Program requires a local commitment (roughly 70% of project costs) before an application may be submitted. "In order for us to apply, we have to have a commitment from the county regarding that 70% of the funding," she said.
Board members pressed timing: the vendor wants a contract in place by mid‑April to execute summer work, and the vendor expects full payment by December 2026 (progress billing may be possible). Supervisors discussed bond or lease‑purchase options and the possibility of shifting already‑allocated construction funds to cover near‑term needs.
Dr. Martin described related operational impacts: repeated HVAC failures produce classroom disruptions and repeated emergency repairs, the school division bears transportation costs when students must be placed out‑of‑district under the Comprehensive Services Act (CSA), and prolonged delays raise escalation risks and increase eventual costs.
The board did not make a funding commitment that night but agreed to consider a letter of commitment or other mechanisms at upcoming budget meetings and at a planned April work session. Dr. Martin urged the board to act quickly to preserve vendor scheduling and to remain eligible for matching state construction assistance.
