City Awarded $21.5M In State Grants To Enhance HVAC Systems At 6 Norwalk Schools

NORWALK, CT — The city has been awarded over $21.5 million in grant funding to improve the heating and cooling systems in several Norwalk schools, according to city officials.

According to a news release provided by the city, Mayor Harry Rilling, Superintendent Alexandra Estrella and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff announced Monday the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services awarded the city over $21.5 million in grant funding to improve the heating and cooling systems in six Norwalk Public Schools.

This investment underscores a commitment by the state and the city to help maximize student success by fostering optimal and equitable learning environments, city officials said.

According to the city, these much-needed enhancements will benefit the following Norwalk Public Schools:

• Brien McMahon High School
• Brookside Elementary School
• Marvin Elementary School
• Naramake Elementary School
• Rowayton Elementary School
• Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School

A special capital appropriation of $14.4 million by the city will fully fund the project, according to the city.

The grant funding will go toward the installation, replacement or upgrading of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and other improvements to indoor air quality in school buildings.

"Upgrading our HVAC systems for our students and teachers has always been a major priority, as we want our children to have access to a healthy, clean, and equitable learning environment," Rilling said in a news release. "Since 2018, the city has upgraded HVAC systems in six of our schools, and now, with this additional $21.5 million in grant funding from the state, we will be able to upgrade six additional schools. I want to thank Governor [Ned] Lamont for making this grant possible and for prioritizing CT's education system and thank State Senator Bob Duff, who is always advocating for Norwalk and helped get our reimbursement rate up to 60 percent for all new school construction projects in Norwalk, saving the city millions and millions of dollars."

Such improvements aim to significantly elevate the educational experience, particularly during extreme weather conditions, ensuring that both students and educators can thrive in a comfortable teaching and learning environment, according to the city.

"Providing state funding for Norwalk schools to add air conditioning and improve indoor air quality is crucial for creating healthy learning environments that foster student success," Duff said in a news release. "Poor indoor air quality negatively impacts academic performance and overall well-being. State funding ensures that all schools, regardless of local economic disparities, have the resources necessary to implement effective air quality improvements, such as cooling, advanced ventilation systems, and air filtration. By investing in the health of our students through improved air quality, we not only enhance their learning capabilities but also promote long-term health and equity in education."

Improvements to HVAC systems were previously not reimbursable by the state of Connecticut. In 2022, the state implemented a new HVAC grant program, allowing municipalities the opportunity to submit grant proposals to be selected for HVAC upgrades, according to the city.

City officials also noted Norwalk is fortunate to have received HVAC grant funding at the state's newly approved reimbursement rate of 60 percent for new school construction projects in Norwalk, saving the city millions of dollars.

Since 2018, the city has invested capital funding into upgrading HVAC systems at several schools across the city, including Cranbury Elementary School, Jefferson Marine Science Elementary School, Kendall College and Career Academy, Nathan Hale Middle School, Roton Middle School and Ponus Ridge School Campus, according to the city.

"By investing in the improvement of HVAC systems, we are investing in the comfort and well-being of our school community, creating environments conducive to focused and productive learning," Estrella said in a news release. "With these upcoming improvements, we are taking proactive steps to ensure that such interruptions become a thing of the past. Our scholars deserve to learn and succeed in environments where they can focus on their studies without the distraction of discomfort."