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District outlines HVAC and portable problems, seeks cost estimates; awarded $304,000 energy grant
Summary
Facilities staff described HVAC system differences, temperature-control challenges in older portables (including mold and heating-only units), winter freeze-mitigation plans and a $304,000 Department of Commerce lighting grant for middle and high schools; trustees asked staff for replacement-cost estimates.
District facilities staff gave a detailed briefing on Nov. 18 about heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems across Sultan School District buildings and the condition of portable classrooms.
Facilities lead Charlie described the range of equipment: larger brick-and-mortar spaces use air-handling units; classrooms commonly use unit ventilators at the floor; many portables have ductless heat pumps or heat-only units. Charlie said the district maintains a temperature band "we keep between 68 and 76 degrees," but older portables and building orientation create classrooms that are consistently too warm or too cold.
He described operational challenges: some older portables have only heat, some ductless units use remote controllers not integrated with the district's wireless thermostats, and certain sensors do not communicate with central controls. Those limitations can leave teachers or custodians manually adjusting units and create inconsistent classroom temperatures.
Staff also raised health and safety concerns: older portable paneling and roofing has led to moisture problems in some units, and staff said mold remediation and replacement priority lists are needed. Charlie said the district will produce cost estimates for upgrading or replacing aging systems and portables and expected to return numbers in coming months.
To reduce winter freeze risk in vulnerable fire-suppression end runs, staff said they would install heat tape and run periodic cycles to prevent pipe-freeze events that in prior years caused bursts and interior flooding. Charlie described that measure as a mitigation rather than a permanent replacement.
Separately, staff reported the district won a Department of Commerce grant of about $304,000 to replace interior and exterior lighting at the middle and high schools (including stadium lights). The lighting project is reimbursement-based and staff aim to complete work by spring break, with potential additional utility (PUD) incentives for energy savings to fund other upgrades such as controls.
Trustees pressed for a prioritized list of portable replacements (mold and safety first), estimated costs and an updated replacement schedule. Staff said they would prepare round numbers and bring them back by January as part of capital planning and levy discussion.
