Energy Efficiency Project Gets Underway at Commack Schools

Commack School District is kicking off its first steps of its Energy Efficiency Project as they begin the 2012-13 school year. 

Richard Schramm, Commack's plant facilities administrator, said the district has started the official construction phase of its $18M Energy Efficiency project with Johnson Controls. Schramm gave an overview of the project, it's expected timeline and what progress has been made so far at the Sept. 13 Board of Education meeting. 

"By far, the biggest portion of the project is the lighting upgrades. There will be lighting upgrades done in every building of the district and included in that is lighting controls. Every lighting fixture will be upgraded to a more energy efficient type," Schramm said. 

Replacing the district's outdated lighting fixtures will take approximately one year, according to the plant facilities administrator. He tentatively outlined starting at Hubbs Administrative Building then Cedar Road School and the two intermediate schools. Work at Commack High School would not begin till May 2013, and work at Commack Middle School in July 2013. 

"The lighting will be, no pun intended, one of the most visible parts of the project," Superintendent Donald James said. 

When questioned by parents why some leased buildings were being put ahead of those in use, Schramm said the schedule is subject to change but will depend upon accessibility to the building while school is not in session. 

"Commack High School will have to wait till the summer, it's so big," he said. 

The district's Energy Efficiency project officially kicked off this August when the roof at North Ridge Elementary School was replaced to improve temperature control within the building. 

Also checked off the long list of tasks was replacing the walk-in refrigerator at Burr Intermediate School, which was done the week before the 2012-13 school year started. 

Other projects on a lengthy list of efforts to control energy expenditure and the district's costs include: 

• Building weatherization
• Installation of HVAC control system  upgrades to a have computerized control of the heating and ventilating units in all buildings.
• Pipe and valve replacement.
• Boiler replacement at Wood Park, Sagtikos, Cedar Road and Indian Hollow Primary School. 
• Domestic water heater replacement at Rolling Hills Primary School and Commack Middle School. 
• Window replacement at Sagtikos and in one portion of Commack High School that still has the original windows. 
• UV reflective filters placed on all windows throughout the district. 
• Water conservation upgrades. 
• Air conditioning unit replacements. 
• A 75 kW co-generation plant installed at Commack Middle School. 
• Unit Ventilator replacement in all classrooms. 
• Transformer replacements through the district. 

Schramm said he is most excited about the installation of a 75kW co-generation electrical plant at Commack Middle School, that will be placed in the boiler section of the building. He reassured parents the plant is extremely quiet and will not emit fumes into the building. There will be steam and some ventilation required to outside of the building. 

The lengthy list of projects is not expected to disrupt Commack students' learning environment. 

"Once school went into session, all work is 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. on nights and weekends. Nothing will happen during the day until we are in a recess period," Schramm said.