Julie Zupfer Anderson
Sartell
Recently, a local financial advisor thanked the new school board members for voting against moving forward with the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) project at Riverview Intermediate School. As a former school-board member and a taxpayer, I find this appalling!
Here’s what the board knows: The 54-year-old HVAC system frequently breaks down and is beyond repair. Parts no longer exist and have to be custom-manufactured. The RIS students and staff suffer in classrooms with temperatures ranging from the low 50s to high 90s. The costly repairs needed to “band-aid” this system take money away from other maintenance needs, like roofs and parking-lot repairs. The HVAC system has to run 24/7 because if it is cycled down, say overnight or during holidays, the system won’t be able to catch up.
Glycol could be added to the HVAC system to make it work more efficiently but doing so would pose a health hazard to everyone in the building because of leaks throughout the system. Further delays in replacing the system will cost taxpayers more in the future as costs keep increasing the longer the project is delayed.
The three new school board members are forcing this decision to go to a referendum in which the public will vote on whether to replace the HVAC system. Public referendums cost the district time and money as the district must pay for the special election. And a failed vote won’t change the need to replace the system! Meanwhile, students and staff continue to be exposed to an unhealthy environment, and the costs continue to increase. The board will be forced to use the LTFM Indoor Air Quality Bonds that the three board members refuse to use now.
When I asked the three new board members what justification they are using to force the taxpayers to pay higher taxes for this project, only Emily Larson replied, saying that she wouldn’t respond because my question was “speculative.” There’s nothing speculative about this situation. The system must be replaced. Further delays will only cost the taxpayers more.
I urge concerned taxpayers to contact your school board.
