YOUNGSTOWN SCHOOLS Rehab plans target energy conservation

Utility cost savings are projected at $85,000 a year.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city school board will seek state approval to spend $1.3 million for energy conservation improvements at its headquarters building and warehouse and maintenance building.
On Tuesday, the board authorized Johnson Controls to file an application with the Ohio School Facilities Commission for the project, which would occur under House Bill 264.
The resolution also authorizes Treasurer Carolyn Funk to borrow money for the improvements. Funk said she expects to borrow $1.3 million for 10 or 15 years. The state requires that the improvements pay for themselves within 15 years.
"We believe that we can save you $85,000 a year just in utility costs, and there are going to be some operational savings on top of that," Edward G. Cvelbar, a Youngstown-based account executive for Johnson Controls, told the board. Johnson Controls maintains heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment for the school district.
Improvements suggested
The headquarters building has a leaky roof, has only 13 thermostats controlling 76 work zones, lacks heating or cooling in its hallways, and has some offices with poor air circulation, he said.
Included in the project at the headquarters building at 20 W. Wood St. would be a partial roof replacement, new air handling and rooftop units, a complete redesign of ductwork to accommodate 76 individual work zone temperature controls, lighting upgrades and installation of occupancy sensors that would automatically shut lights off when nobody is in a room.
The project would also include plugging and insulation of two large gravity vents that were installed when the building was built and from which considerable heat escapes from the building, Cvelbar said.
Old building
Portions of the building, known as the Irene L. Ward Building, are more than a century old, said Anthony DeNiro Jr., executive director of business affairs.
The project also calls for installation of 16 new gas-fired ceiling-mounted heaters from Reznor Inc. of Mercer, Pa., in the board's warehouse and maintenance building on Teamster Drive.
Cvelbar pledged his company would give at least 20 percent of the work on the entire project to minority-owned businesses.
The board also awarded a $116,000 data and voice cabling contract to Midwest Telephone of Girard for the new West Elementary School.
It also reappointed Denise Warren of Youngstown, deputy clerk of the Youngstown Municipal Court, to a four-year term on the city park and recreation commission.