Facilities team previews summer 2026 projects and $36M state HVAC package for six schools
January 29, 2026 | Norwalk School District, School Districts, Connecticut
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Facilities staff told the Norwalk Board of Education Facilities Committee on Jan. 28 that multiple capital projects are planned for summer 2026 and that the district has secured a state HVAC grant for six schools with a high reimbursement rate.
Bill Hodel summarized the summer program: removal of one of the last underground oil storage tanks (a state‑reimbursable project), partnership with the Department of Public Works to repave Brookside Elementary School parking areas, asbestos flooring abatement at Nathan Hale to be staged across two summers, installation of temporary window and wall air‑conditioning units at Wolf Pit to complete classroom cooling across the district, and replacement or addition of student lockers at Nathan Hale and Ponus Ridge (the locker work is not reimbursed by the state).
Alan Lowe described the state HVAC grant as a unique, two‑year program that awarded the district six separate projects — listed in discussion as Brien/Bridal McMahon High School, Rowayton, Naramec, Brookside, Marvin and Silvermine — with a combined project value staff described as “roughly around $36,000,000” and a reported 60% state reimbursement rate. Lowe said that higher reimbursement is atypical compared with typical rates staff cited for other work (for example, 33% for renovation projects and 22% for new construction under ordinary circumstances).
Project timing is driven by school calendars and abatement needs; staff said most construction windows begin after school ends and conclude before teacher return in late August, with some projects requiring staged work over two summers. At Bridal/Brien McMahon, staff said they will install an air‑cooled chiller with redundancy and that, for the first time, the gymnasium at that school will be air‑conditioned.
Staff asked board members to direct questions early for items requiring fuller presentations; slides and the full presentation will be uploaded to BoardDocs for member review.
Bill Hodel summarized the summer program: removal of one of the last underground oil storage tanks (a state‑reimbursable project), partnership with the Department of Public Works to repave Brookside Elementary School parking areas, asbestos flooring abatement at Nathan Hale to be staged across two summers, installation of temporary window and wall air‑conditioning units at Wolf Pit to complete classroom cooling across the district, and replacement or addition of student lockers at Nathan Hale and Ponus Ridge (the locker work is not reimbursed by the state).
Alan Lowe described the state HVAC grant as a unique, two‑year program that awarded the district six separate projects — listed in discussion as Brien/Bridal McMahon High School, Rowayton, Naramec, Brookside, Marvin and Silvermine — with a combined project value staff described as “roughly around $36,000,000” and a reported 60% state reimbursement rate. Lowe said that higher reimbursement is atypical compared with typical rates staff cited for other work (for example, 33% for renovation projects and 22% for new construction under ordinary circumstances).
Project timing is driven by school calendars and abatement needs; staff said most construction windows begin after school ends and conclude before teacher return in late August, with some projects requiring staged work over two summers. At Bridal/Brien McMahon, staff said they will install an air‑cooled chiller with redundancy and that, for the first time, the gymnasium at that school will be air‑conditioned.
Staff asked board members to direct questions early for items requiring fuller presentations; slides and the full presentation will be uploaded to BoardDocs for member review.
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