Stamford Public Schools Awarded $6.7M For HVAC Upgrades

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Public Schools (SPS) will be awarded $6.79 million in state reimbursements in support of previously completed and upcoming HVAC projects in two school facilities, the school district said in a news releae.

The projects are being completed during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. The funds represent the second round of funding awarded through the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools, a state program that is administered by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS).

In 2023, SPS received $3 million in reimbursements for previously completed HVAC upgrades.

2024 Stamford HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Include:

• $4,288,708 - Newfield Elementary School for the replacement of supply air fans and air handler units
• $2,504,556 - Rippowam Middle School for mechanical system upgrades

The funding was announced earlier this week by DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman.

In total, $122 million in grants are being awarded for public schools throughout Connecticut to make upgrades to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Municipalities are required to provide matching funds, based on their school construction reimbursement rate, to support the project costs.

The grant award represents 60 percent of the total cost of the two Stamford projects.

"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 SPS Superintenent Dr. Tamu Lucero in a news release. "Through this program, the state is helping districts like Stamford ensure that all facilities are equipped with modernized ventilation systems."

The Stamford delegation to Hartford helped secure the funding. The grant applications were the result of a collaboration between the SPS directors of facilities, the city grants and OPM offices and the mayor’s office, as well as members of various city boards.

"The receipt of this state funding offsets these necessary capital costs that would otherwise be covered by city budgets," said Mayor Caroline Simmons in a news release. "This is a win for everyone, as we are able to improve the quality of our school facilities while alleviating pressure on the local tax base."

During the first round of funding issued in 2023, Stamford received funding to upgrade HVAC at the following facilities:

• 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

Earlier this month, the Connecticut General Assembly Session approved funding for both phases of the proposed two-campus K-8 school in the Cove neighborhood.

The K-4 lower school will be on Lockwood Avenue while the 5-8 upper cchool will be on the current KT Murphy site.

This project will also be funded at a 60 percent reimbursement rate from the CT Department of Administrative Services, joining the Roxbury K-8 school (60 percent) and the new Westhill High School (80 percent), as projects that will be completed with a majority of the funding provided by the state.