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Vendor pitches energy and HVAC overhaul for four Franklin County elementary schools; county funding discussions under way
Summary
ABM presented an engineering audit recommending LED, envelope and full HVAC replacements at four elementary schools and proposed financing the work through guaranteed energy savings; staff said they are discussing funding and timing with county officials and aim for summer 2026 installation.
Whit Blake of ABM presented a districtwide facilities audit to the Franklin County School Board on Feb. 9, urging LED and building-envelope upgrades plus phased HVAC replacements at Rocky Mount, Lee Wade, Callaway and Snow Creek elementary schools.
Blake told the board the firm had completed engineering designs for the high-priority schools and recommended using part of the energy savings to finance the projects: "After you implement our program, those utility costs go down — the difference is what's used to pay for the program over a period of time," he said. He and staff estimated annual utility savings in the range of roughly $270,000–$280,000 depending on the scope of HVAC work and whether both top-priority schools are completed in the same summer.
The presentation described three project types: energy conservation measures (LED lighting, water conservation), discounted capital projects (HVAC replacements), and essential capital work (roofing, parking). For Rocky Mount and Lee Wade the consultants recommended full mechanical replacement, conversion from fuel oil/steam systems to more modern systems (including propane for some sites), and building automation upgrades to improve indoor air quality and control costs.
Superintendent Doug Sears said the district is engaged in preliminary funding discussions with county officials and noted the county had previously borrowed for capital projects. County administrators and the district’s finance team plan to meet with ABM and the board of supervisors to discuss potential funding sources and scheduling. The vendor emphasized the need to decide quickly to meet equipment lead times for a potential summer 2026 installation.
The board requested the consultant provide full slide decks and hard-copy materials for members to review and asked staff to continue conversations with the county’s administrators about incorporating the projects into the long-term capital improvement plan. No contract was awarded at the Feb. 9 meeting; the item remained a presentation and update.
Next steps: ABM will provide full slides and engineering documents to the superintendent; district staff will continue talks with county leadership about funding and timetable and will return to the board with options.
