Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District has earned a $2.7 million-dollar grant as part of the California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE).
CalSHAPE provides funding to upgrade heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems in public schools and replaces noncompliant plumbing fixtures and appliances that fail to meet water efficiency standards. The District, led by Buzz Mitchell, Director of Maintenance and Operation, previously completed site audits of existing air conditioning and indoor air quality equipment and submitted needs to the California Energy Commission.
The grant funding will provide:
- Maintenance of existing air conditioning and heating equipment
- Improve safety in classrooms by providing monitoring of indoor air quality
- Evaluation and installation of appropriate air filtration
- Assess condition and efficiency of AC / Heating equipment throughout the District
“I’d like to thank Buzz Mitchell and our entire Maintenance and Operations team for their tireless work to upgrade our HVAC and air quality systems,” said Dr. John Lopez, Superintendent of Schools. “As our days get hotter, this grant addresses a critical need to ensure the comfort and safety of our students, creating an optimal learning environment.”
In addition to the work coming at no cost to NLMUSD, the grant will allow the District to apply for future funding to replace air conditioning and heating equipment that are no longer energy efficient or are below possible future standards for ventilation. The current allocation will be used to improve equipment at 26 sites across the District.
NLMUSD has seen a number of projects aimed at improving and upgrading school sites this summer and fall, including asphalt and roof renovations at sites all around the District. Future plans also call for solar paneling at a number of sites and playground renovations at all elementary school sites.
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, in collaboration with parents and the community, will develop in our students the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes to empower them to become life-long learners and successful, productive citizens in an ever-changing world.
Every Student. Future Ready.
By Christopher Hargraves
