Rockford Public Schools is making school cool with $159.6M air conditioning upgrade plan

September 21, 2022|By Mary Sisk|In 815 News, Local, Rockford, Trending
Scott Jensen, the director of design and construction for Rockford Public Schools, stands behind several fans Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, inside a classroom at Lincoln Middle School as he explains to a reporter some of the ongoing work to bring air conditioning to the school. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Who said school can’t be cool?

Rockford Public Schools are in the process of a $159.6 million project to bring air conditioning to 31 schools over three years.

The work is being done in phases with the first phase focused on the schools with the greatest need.

This year, HVAC upgrades and replacements are coming to East High School, Flinn Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, Riverdahl Elementary School, Washington Elementary School and West Middle School.

“Our HVAC infrastructure across the district was aging and well past its life cycle,” said Mike Phillips, the district’s chief operations officer. “If you think about Lincoln and East, they’re our legacy buildings that are our oldest buildings, so they had steam radiators.”

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These upgrades are still in progress as shipment delays and other obstacles hinder construction, but the six schools in phase one are expected to be completed by the start of the 2023-24 school year.

Carpenter Andrew Harris of Larson & Larson, a subcontractor for Helm Group, brings equipment into a classroom Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, at Lincoln Middle School in Rockford. The school is being renovated to install air conditioning and replace the roof. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

The funds for this project came from a total of $234.3 million that Rockford Public Schools received in federal coronavirus relief funding. That money is also going toward transportation, digital equity and other learning initiatives.

The air conditioning improvements will ensure students and staff are comfortable, and it will also allow for RPS to expand its summer programs.

“This is has been a great opportunity for the school district to invest in our buildings and really feel that this is going to help support the learning for our students,” Phillips said. “Providing a better indoor environment.”

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Project breakdown:

Summer 2022: East High School, Flinn Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, Riverdahl Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, West Middle School.

Summer 2023: Auburn High School, Bloom Elementary School, Brookview Elementary School, Conklin Elementary School, Froberg Elementary School, Guilford High School,  Hillman Elementary School, Johnson Elementary School, Lathrop Elementary School, Maria Montessori at Marsh, McIntosh Elementary School, Spring Creek Elementary School, Welsh Elementary School, Whitehead Elementary School.

Summer 2024: Eisenhower Middle School, Fairview Early Childhood Center, Gregory Elementary School, Jefferson High School, Kennedy Middle School, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Thurgood Marshall School, Nashold Early Childhood Center, Rolling Green Elementary School, Summerdale Early Childhood Center, West View Elementary School.

Scott Jensen, the director of design and construction for Rockford Public Schools, points out some of the roof work being done by Helm Group on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, at Lincoln Middle School in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

This article is by Mary Sisk. Email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent