Replacing HVAC for Laguna-Acoma facility
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – Grants/Cibola County School District board heard presentations concerning three school facilities and discussed budget deadlines during last week’s meeting.
Most of the session was devoted to the Bluewater Elementary School presentation by FTB Architects (Fanning Bard Tatum), Albuquerque. The plan is to begin construction of the 22,959 square-foot facility in August with a completion date of July 2022. The goal is to have students and staff in the new facility by the start of the 2022-23 school year.
The existing buildings are scheduled for demolition following completion of the new complex. The building committee, which began exploring options in November, in collaboration with the architects have completed the schematic design for the 15- acre site.
The committee consensus was that a brand-new building, with a main entrance on Center Avenue, was the best choice. The proposal includes an entry foyer adjoining the administrative section that also houses the nurse’s office, 11 teaching spaces, library, a gym which doubles as cafeteria space, commercial kitchen with designated access for food service supply deliveries, special needs classroom in addition to kindergarten space, each with in-room bathrooms, and music and art room spaces. The plan features two playgrounds, exterior space for hosting outdoor classrooms, and a track which surrounds the outdoor soccer field. The design incorporates security measures such as the designated student drop-off zone on the northside of the main building entrance in addition to a bus lane on the west side of the gymnasium for the school’s two buses.
Discussion highlighted security measures such as perimeter fencing, exterior and interior cameras, and gated entrance to the bus access. All exterior doors require security code activation.
The facility is designed for 102 students but can accommodate up to 120. The goal is to begin construction this summer following board approval of the final plan.
Board members emphasized that the planning committee should survey the teaching staff, particularly about entrance/exit procedures.
Laguna-Acoma - roofing and HVAC
The district has planned two major renovation projects for the Laguna-Acoma facility, which houses the middle school and high school. Replacing the entire roof is one project and the other is replacing the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system.
The representative from the Albuquerque Honeywell office provided information on the need to upgrade the HVAC while improving the facility’s overall ventilation system. He emphasized that the pandemic has focused more attention on the importance of adequate indoor ventilation.
Board member Emily Hunt-Dailey recalled several of her experiences as a classroom teacher at
L-AHS. Some spaces were too cold, and students wrapped themselves in blankets as they moved from one classroom to the next; other situations included rooms that were unpleasantly warm.
She said these have been ongoing problems for years.
The technology employed by Honeywell would eliminate these types of situations, according to the presenter. He added that the upgrade includes temperature sensors that sound an alarm when there is a malfunction plus the new system will allow maintenance staff to monitor conditions from an off-site location. He encouraged Hunt-Dailey and L-A staff to call him any time with their concerns.
Superintendent Max Perez assured board members that the HVAC upgrade will be compatible with the new roof and not create future problems with ventilation. The board approved the HVAC upgrade and the roofing proposal.
Finances
The board reviewed the G/CCSD history of asset valuation, which highlighted a timeline comparing outstanding debt to declining debt; the presenter acknowledged the current historically low interest rates.
Business and Finance Director Steve Maldonado provided information on the 2021-22 school year budget. He noted specific fund categories and explained the federal CRRSA funding. The district has four years to utilize the funding and G/CCSD has identified six categories: building safety, $600,000; building improvements, $1 million; compliance with stipulations in the Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit, $560,000; career and technical education programming, $2.5 million; promoting and supporting staff health, $800,000; and summer learning programs, $932,367.
(The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, a major COVID-19 relatedlaw, is part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The law authorizes $82 billion to education through the Education Stabilization Fund, with $23 billion specifically for higher education, according to pnpi.org › crrsa.)
Director Maldonado reported that the budget will be an action item on the April 20 meeting agenda. He said that G/CCSD must submit the approved budget to the state Office of Management and Budget and the New Mexico Public Education Department by May 5.
(President Ron Ortiz and Superintendent Max Perez were present in the boardroom and were joined by the four board members, who participated via technology, at the April 6 meeting.)
Upcoming meeting
Tuesday, April 20, 5:30 p.m., electronic meeting, boardroom, 413 Roosevelt Ave., Grants.
Visit https://www.gccs.k12.nm.us/ or call 505-285-2603 for additional information.