Consultants outline multi‑phase ventilation and energy plan for Winthrop schools, estimate $2M–$20M scopes and financing options

Tom Seekins, president of Energy Management Consultants, told the board that the district's oldest buildings have limited or no mechanical ventilation and that replacing or upgrading ventilation and HVAC systems will be a multi‑year effort requiring creative financing and grant-seeking.

"The savings, estimated savings of 148,000, and realized savings were around 229,000 with, obviously, a positive split of $81,007.61," Seekins said, citing results from the prior boiler-rooms and LED conversion phase. He described priority measures (ventilation in older classrooms, unit ventilator and chiller replacements, and building-envelope improvements) and offered two sample options: a priority-package budget of roughly $2,000,000 (with an estimated $176,000 annual payment starting in 2028 under a tax‑exempt lease-purchase) and a full district upgrade he described as a roughly $20,000,000 project.

Seekins outlined potential funding paths — state revolving-renovation funds, direct federal grants and Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives (for solar) — and recommended open automation platforms to avoid vendor lock-in. He emphasized data collection (CO2 loggers, sensors) to support grant applications and said the team will prepare bid documents and drawings only after the board selects a direction for a next phase. Board members asked about energy savings projections and whether the tool presented would incorporate adjusted baselines for spaces that previously had little or no ventilation.