Stamford Public Schools Awarded $2.7M For HVAC Upgrades

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Public Schools (SPS) will be awarded $2.7 million in state reimbursements in support of previously completed heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) projects in seven school facilities.

The city of Stamford funded and already completed the projects during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. The state funding reimburses a portion of the projects under the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools, a newly established state program that is administered by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.

Gov. Ned Lamont announced this week that his administration is awarding $56 million in grants for public schools throughout Connecticut to make upgrades to HVAC systems.

These $56 million in grants represent the first round of funding released through this program. This initial round opened in September 2022 and school districts seeking grants were required to submit applications to the state by Dec. 1, 2022. Municipalities are required to provide matching grants to fund the project costs.

"A cornerstone of our long-term facilities plan is ensuring that all buildings have the necessary systems and infrastructure to ensure the safety and health of all students and staff within our buildings," said Superintendent of SPS Dr. Tamu Lucero, in an news release. "Through this program, the state is helping districts like Stamford ensure that all facilities are equipped with modernized ventilation systems."

Stamford facilities selected for the funding include:

• Julia Stark Elementary - $289,142
• Davenport Ridge Elementary - $421,566
• Cloonan Middle School - $96,216
• Stamford High School - $693,566
• Westover Magnet Elementary School - $802,700
• Rippowam Middle School - $493,271
• Northeast Elementary School - $231,402

"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. Modernized ventilation systems provide an important public health function that filtrate the air and reduce airborne contaminants, including particles containing viruses," Lamont said in a news release.

"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. When the pandemic began, we dedicated more than $165 million in our federal relief funding to make air filtration upgrades in schools. Now, with this new state program, we have a dedicated source of funding to continue these upgrades and partner with schools on these much-needed infrastructure improvements," he added.

Congressman Jim Himes (D-4) said upgrading HVAC systems is beneficial in several ways.

"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," he said in a news release.