Schools have long summer to-do list

While county students sleep in, watch television and lounge by the pool over the summer, employees in the school system's facilities department are working harder than ever to get school buildings ready to welcome another wave of children in September.

"We have the fourth-largest school system in the state, with more than 60 schools to work on," said David Wyman, vice chair of the school board. "We have to continue to be diligent about maintaining and upgrading our existing facilities."

Some of the work is routine and is performed every summer: stripping and waxing of all floors, refinishing hardwood gymnasium and stage floors, inspections of fire alarms, kitchen equipment, sprinklers and elevators, etc.

Likewise, multiple schools are in line for new sinks and windows and a fresh coat of paint in hallways, classrooms, bathrooms and gymnasiums.

Hening Elementary is getting a facelift in the form of a power washing and new exterior paint.

But the three main items on the department's summer work list, which includes 191 projects, are preventative maintenance of HVAC systems, lighting retrofits/replacements and installation of new intercom systems at several schools. The improvements to school lighting are necessary for the county's schools to become more energy efficient. Replacing malfunctioning intercoms has been identified as a key element in school security.

And as anyone who has attended school in Virginia will testify, an ineffective HVAC system makes for a less-than-optimal learning environment when the late spring and summer temperatures soar into the mid 90s. Three county schools - Midlothian Middle, Falling Creek Middle and Clover Hill High - are slated to receive significant HVAC upgrades this summer. CCPS Community Relations Director Tim Bullis said the facilities department evaluates the age and functionality of each school's HVAC system when determining which can be repaired and which need to be replaced.

"If your system isn't working well, you're going to get bumped to the top of the line," he added.

According to data from the county's Critical Needs Audit, schools may find the line for HVAC replacements more than a little crowded. A review by facilities staff found major unfunded maintenance issues in 53 of Chesterfield's 62 school buildings.

Of the 36 elementary school facilities inspected, 12 - Bellwood, Bensley, Bon Air, Chalkley, Crestwood, Davis, Falling Creek, Grange Hall, Harrowgate, Hening, Reams and Watkins - have over $1 million apiece in maintenance needs. Eight of the county's 13 middle schools and three of eight high schools also eclipsed the $1 million mark in required maintenance.

The total price tag is more than $60 million - most of which is tied directly to HVAC systems - to avoid what the department called a "major disruption to the operation of the buildings." Last spring, Matoaca Middle School almost had to close one day because of malfunctioning air conditioning.

The county is currently looking at the feasibility of holding a bond referendum next year to help fund repairs.

"I think the school board has done a good job over time of addressing the needs of our older school facilities," Wyman said. "We have to prioritize in order to stay up to speed and identify those projects which are most critically needed."

The school board's FY2010-15 Capital Improvement Plan includes $17.6 million for HVAC upgrades. Nearly $11 million has been budgeted for the current budget year. While such expenditures could be difficult to justify in the wake of recession-related budget cuts, the current economic climate could actually provide the county with significant savings on school improvements.

Such was the case with a pending project at Bellwood Elementary. Originally budgeted at $4.2 million, the school board recently approved a bid $700,000 lower.

"We're seeing projects coming in under the budgeted amount as contractors compete for the fewer available jobs," Bullis said. "Hopefully, we'll see that trend continue for a while."

Summer to-do list

Highlights for major maintenance at county schools include: • Triennial asbestos inspections • All hardwood gym and stage floors screened and refinished • HVAC preventative maintenance • Lighting retrofits • Strip/wax all floors • Perform all annual fire alarm, kitchen equipment, sprinkler and elevator inspections • Repairs or replacements to/of roofs at several schools • Repairing or replacing gym floors in multiple schools • Replacing lighting in multiple schools • Replacing carpet in portions of multiple schools • Painting classrooms, gyms, hallways, bathrooms, etc., in multiple schools • Repairing and repainting canopies outside at multiple sites • Replacing intercom systems in multiple schools • Cleaning rafter and ductwork in multiple schools • Replacing sinks and sink cabinets in multiple schools • Adding electrical outlets in multiple schools • Replacing old windows in multiple buildings • Exterior power washing and painting (Hening Elementary) • Work on grounds at Davis Middle (grass has not grown, meaning rain creates a muddy situation) • Adding security cameras • Replacing tile and ceiling panels in areas of various schools • Addressing issues in parking lots (lighting, painting spaces, increasing number of handicapped spaces, etc.)