Rockford School Board Launches AC/Air Quality Improvement Plan

Update: AC/Air Quality Improvement Plan

Air quality improvement plans are delayed at four RPS 205 schools after bids were significantly higher than budgeted. Improvements planned for Bloom, Lathrop and Spring Creek elementary schools and Guilford High School are now planned for summer 2023 instead of this summer. Projects will continue as scheduled at East High School, Flinn Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, West Middle School, Riverdahl Elementary School, and Washington Elementary School. 

“We know this is disappointing,” said Chief Operations Officer Mike Phillips. “We’re disappointed, too. Unfortunately the upgrades are estimated to cost much more than our engineering team planned. While the projects are being paid for with federal relief money, it’s a finite amount of money that we must spend wisely. We are still fully committed to moving these projects forward.”

The district has allocated nearly $160 million in federal funding for HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) upgrades and replacements to support air conditioning and cooling infrastructure in all RPS 205 classrooms over the next three years. Projects already planned for summer 2023 and 2024 are still on track. 

Administrators will rebid the work at Bloom, Lathrop, Spring Creek and Guilford this fall, with construction starting in summer 2023.

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March 29, 2022

Rockford Public Schools will use part of its federal pandemic recovery funding to improve air quality for students and staff. The district has received $234.3M in federal funding to aid in its recovery from the pandemic from the following legislation:

• The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)
• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSERII)
• American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ARP ESSER)

The district has allocated nearly $160 million in federal funding for HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) upgrades and replacements to support air conditioning and cooling infrastructure in all RPS 205 classrooms over the next three years.

The Rockford School Board approved HVAC updates at East High School, Lincoln and Flinn middle schools, and Washington Elementary School at tonight's School Board meeting. Project approval at additional schools is expected at upcoming board meetings.

“The ESSERII and ARP ESSER HVAC projects will include the replacement of aging systems to improve indoor air quality with the added benefit of air conditioning 100 percent of our classrooms,” said Chief Operations Officer Mike Phillips.

With the planned upgrades, school leaders can explore possibilities to extend the school day or school year to continue supporting students. “Improving air quality gives us more options for extended learning into the summer months with staff or community partners,” said Superintendent Ehren Jarrett. “It’s exciting that opportunities can be available at all schools for all students, with no facilities limitations.”

HVAC upgrades will be administered in three phases

Summer 2022: Bloom Elementary School, East High School, Flinn Middle School, Guilford High School, Lathrop Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School, Riverdahl Elementary School, Spring Creek Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, West Middle School

Summer 2023: Auburn High School, Brookview Elementary School, Conklin Elementary School, Froberg Elementary School, Hillman Elementary School, Johnson Elementary School, Maria Montessori at Marsh, McIntosh 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