SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Board of Education approved the replacement of the HVAC system at South Charleston Middle School at its meeting Thursday night.
The board voted to replace the outdated system at the school with the low bid project, which will be slightly over $700,000. BOE President Robin Rector said they try to upgrade older HVAC systems as the budget allows.
“Like many of our other schools we have aging HVAC heating and cooling systems,” Rector said. “As we can and as we find dollars, we go into those schools and try to update those pieces.”
Executive Director of Facilities Planning Charles Wilson said that the equipment could take some time to come in, but work would begin quickly once it’s received and the hope is to have the system in place for the new school year in the fall. He explained that the system is extremely outdated.
“The building has a Columbus Heating system installed in the 1920’s,” he said. “It’s not very efficient, it has limited outside air capability and no air conditioning. I think the students and the community are going to appreciate the air conditioning.”
He said the current system doesn’t meet any of the current standards, but the replacement would bring SCMS into compliance.
Rector said many renovations have been done to the middle school, including roofing projects and classroom renovations, so the HVAC system would be the latest upgrade to the school.