Vassalboro board works toward solving heat problems at school

Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro school board members have decided on measures to minimize heat waves inside Vassalboro Community School (VCS), no matter what the weather outside does.

At their Oct. 17 meeting, board members unanimously approved two recommendations from Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer.

They will have ceiling fans installed in almost every room, as an interim measure; and they will find a consultant to do a comprehensive energy audit, to plan future improvements to cooling, heating and lighting in the building.

Pfeiffer had a bid for $27,740 for ceiling fans in all classrooms and most other spaces, a figure that includes installation costs. Postponed are the high-ceilinged spaces like the gymnasium, cafeteria and music room.

Principal Ira Michaud said after considering two types of fans, the recommendation is for Hampton Bay Industrial ceiling fans, because they move more air than the other type. He said he stood under one and can testify the moving air will not throw papers around.

Michaud said installation will begin during the Christmas break, with the top-floor classrooms first on the list. Next priority, probably during February and April vacations, will be the east-facing ground-floor classrooms that get a lot of sun.

Pfeiffer intends to use most of the rest of the school department’s federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funds for the ceiling fans.

Shelley Phillips, director of maintenance and grounds for Vassalboro and Winslow schools, said the fans do not make much difference in the electric bill. Winslow High School has had fans since about 2012, she said; two have needed to be replaced so far.

All three administrators emphasized that the fans and the controls will be high out of reach of curious young students.

Pfeiffer summarized the process for an energy audit, which he said has not been done at VCS for 17 years. The school board would contract with an energy company, whose representatives would do an inspection and present a report. Board members would then select a company to make changes. After that company made a public presentation and the board accepted its plan, work could begin, possibly in the summer of 2024.

Vassalboro school department would incur no bills until the project was under way, Pfeiffer said – the audit would be paid for along with the work.

Phillips said because “a whole new world of new equipment that is very energy efficient” has been developed in the last 17 years, changes should quickly result in lower costs.

Superintendent Pfeiffer supported his recommendations with colorful charts showing the days over 90 degrees and over 80 degrees since 2018. The charts showed increasing warmth in May and June and, especially in 2023, September and early October. A staffer at the National Weather Service Office, in Gray, had enjoyed preparing the charts for him, Pfeiffer said.

The Oct. 17 meeting included an update on the daycare program at VCS by Jennifer Lizotte, who heads it. The program runs on school days from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Lizotte said, and some parents need to use it at both ends of the day as they commute to out-of-town jobs.

There are currently 54 children enrolled, from pre-kindergartners to sixth-graders. A space rearrangement agreed with Michaud and assistant principal Tabitha Brewer will provide space for five more, to be taken from the waiting list.

Lizotte praised Michaud and Brewer for their help, and the Vassalboro Parent-Teacher Organization for including the daycare program in their fall festival.

Pfeiffer also praised Vassalboro’s “really awesome” PTO volunteers.

Michaud’s principal’s report included a photo of the new sandbox for the younger students. He thanked PTO members Julia Sidelinger, Chris Reynolds and Jandee and Kevin McLaughlin for getting materials and building the box, and said donated sand was due to arrive Oct. 19.

Among policies board members reviewed and updated (one of their on-going responsibilities) was the VCS homework policy. Michaud commented that teachers assign less homework than they used to, because parents – and older children responsible for younger siblings – are so busy.

Board member Erin “Libby” Loiko said there is less homework for high-school students, too, partly because of study halls during the school day. Michaud said the heads of Erskine Academy and Waterville High School have assured him VCS students are well prepared to enter their schools.

Pfeiffer observed that the Oct. 17 meeting was held during National School Bus Driver Appreciation Week, and praised Vassalboro’s drivers; other towns have had shortages, but “our folks are here every single day.”

The next regular Vassalboro school board meeting will be Tuesday evening, Nov. 14, the second Tuesday rather than the usual third Tuesday to avoid Thanksgiving week.