School Dept squanders $2M on "Fixing" High School heating problem

The following comments were taken from the NK School Committee meeting minutes of June 28, 2011 :

1) “Dave Avedesian, NKHS Teacher, submitted a handout regarding windows at NKHS. He noted only 5% of windows on third floor open all the way and there was no air conditioning on the third floor. He requested that some of the windows on the third floor be opened for movement of air. He also commented that he hoped the calendar would be discussed tonight.” and

2) “In answer to a question by Mrs. Page, Mr. Avedesian clarified that the windows were unable to be opened by design.”and

3) “Mr. Mudge said he agreed that this has been a design problem for 10 years.”

Some 6 + years later, during the NKSC meeting of November 14,2017, Mrs. King, North Kingstown’s Chief Operating Officer, states “Already $2 million has been spent over the last four years to address issues with the high school's HVAC system.” and, "an additional “$3.2 million cost” is now required to fixed “the overheating problem on the 2nd floor, 3rd floor and atrium”.

Once again, I reiterate that it was well known, since 2001 that the design of the high school HVAC system did not included the school’s classrooms; it only included the auditorium, cafeteria, library and some first-floor administration officers.

I applaud teacher Avedesian in his many attempts to resolve the high school HVAC problem despite being undermined by the Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer so often.

Yet, shame on all prior elected officials (republican, democrat and independent alike) as well our former Town Manager’s and members of the Town’s Asset Management Commission who failed to provide well informed recommendations and oversight responsibilities for our community’s buildings and infrastructure (Town & School).

I call on Town Manager, Ralph Mollis, to not only take this problem under his managerial “wing” but to seek new professional advice to ensure that our School Department Facilities are operated and properly maintained, which obviously has been lacking for years.

I would hope the Town Council after ignoring, for many years, this and other past school department mismanaged capital improvement programs, maintenance and operation debacles, would support whatever the Town Manager needs to right the ship and get the School Department on the right fiscal course. No excuses are necessary or welcomed, empower a proactive Assett Management Commission to get the job done.

Finally, NK desperately needs a Town Finance Commissionor or taxpayers monies will continue to be wasted.

Bill Mudge

710 Old Baptist Road

NKRI