4 Fairfield Schools Receive State Grants To Upgrade HVAC Systems

FAIRFIELD, CT — Four Fairfield public schools will share more than $6.1 million in grants to upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems under Connecticut's new HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools, Gov. Ned Lamont announced.

Fairfield Warde High School, Fairfield Woods, Osborn Hill Elementary and North Stratfield Elementary will receive the funding, which is part of $56 million in state grants under the program.

"One thing the COVID-19 pandemic exposed is that many school buildings, particularly those that are of a certain age, are in serious need of air quality improvements," Lamont said in a statement. "Modernized ventilation systems provide an important public health function that filtrate the air and reduce airborne contaminants, including particles containing viruses. Most importantly, these air filtration systems will help ensure that our students can continue receiving their education in-person, in the classroom, where they learn best."

The newly established grant program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services, and was created as part of the budget adjustment bill that Lamont signed into law in 2022 (Public Act 22-118). Overall, the program has been allocated $150 million through two revenue streams: $75 million from state bond funding and $75 million from the state’s share of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Under the grant program, the following HVAC projects are eligible:

• Replacing, upgrading, or repairing boilers and other heating and ventilation components;
• Replacing controls and technology systems related to HVAC operations;
• Installing or upgrading air conditioning or ventilation systems; and
• Other similar work approved by the commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services.

North Stratfield Elementary is receiving the largest of the Fairfield grants with $2,451,842.83, which will go toward a project that is expected to cost $9,404.844.00.

Fairfield Woods is receiving $1,914,579.50, which will go toward a project costing a total of $7,343,995.00.

Osborn Hill Elementary is receiving $1,551,843.86, toward a project of $5.952,604.00.

Fairfield Warde High School is receiving $285,332.24, toward a project costing $1,094,485.00.

For each project, the town's school district is providing matching funds to make up the remaining cost.

"One of our top priorities is ensuring that our students and educators have access to safe and healthy learning and teaching environments," said Connecticut Department of Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker. "I commend Governor Lamont for recognizing the importance of this issue and making investments to improve indoor air quality in schools. Healthy schools provide students and educators with classroom settings that are conducive to teaching and learning, ensuring better academic outcomes for our students."

Also commenting on the grants were members of the state's Congressional delegation:

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said, "Connecticut children deserve to breathe clean air. This funding will help Connecticut schools upgrade their outdated HVAC systems to create safer, more energy efficient environments for kids to learn and thrive – good for education, good for the environment. I’m proud to see this first round of funding take shape and look forward to continued investments to support infrastructure upgrades in our schools."

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said, "The health and safety of our students should be top priority, and making sure that every school has an up-to-date HVAC system will improve air quality in the classroom. It’s great to see the American Rescue Plan continue to pay dividends for our kids."

U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-4th) said, "Providing public schools with the funding they need to upgrade their HVAC systems is not only necessary to protect our children’s health and development, it is also a smart financial investment that increases energy efficiency and lowers costs."