Summer HVAC, roofing projects to improve circulation in district buildings

by Melissa Martin

Improving the air quality in three Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District buildings is the goal of a $3.8 million roof replacement and heating, ventilating and air conditioning project planned for this summer.

District officials say the upgrades, which will take place at the high school, middle school and district office, were inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, as improved air circulation is known to control the spread of airborne illnesses.

As part of the project, school board members have approved a $2.9 million contract with Gardiner, a Solon-based HVAC company, as well as a $903,500 roofing contract with Building Technicians Corp. in Madison. As both parts of the project involve the buildings’ roofs, the work will be completed simultaneously.

Most of the HVAC work will be performed at the middle school, built in 1960, as much of the HVAC equipment is original to the building or was installed as part of a 1964 addition.

District officials say a significant portion of the HVAC equipment being replaced no longer functions efficiently. At the high school, where regulating room temperatures has been problematic, the installation of new HVAC control systems will automatically adjust room temperatures as needed. Additionally, the new systems will monitor room temperatures every 15 minutes and alert maintenance personnel almost immediately should any issues arise.

Similar control units will be installed at the middle school, where portions of the building, including approximately 30 middle school classrooms, the cafeteria and the guidance office, will be air conditioned for the first time in the building’s history. The middle school portion of the project will also involve the removal of asbestos, the replacement of a portion of the school’s ductwork and the installation of new boilers used to heat the auditorium.

New roofs will also be installed at both schools.

At the district office, ductwork modifications will be performed in an effort to improve air circulation and the building’s control units will also be replaced.

The upgrades are expected save the district approximately $38,000 in energy costs per year, said district treasurer Craig Yaniglos. ∞