Oakwood Schools to Receive New HVAC System

One of the only remaining components of the $18 million Oakwood City Schools renovation project in Dayton, Ohio, is the installation of a brand-new HVAC system for the high school/junior high building. Currently, about half of the 97-year-old building is running on a new system, and the other half still uses an outdated, steam-heated network, according to school district Operations Coordinator Todd Scott.

Scott said that renovations to the remaining half “will not start until we get safely through winter, when we won’t need them any more for the rest of the year and we can finish off tying all of the HVAC together once all of the rooms are done.”

The construction project, which has been in the works since 2019, is on budget and slated to be finished by August. The goal is to improve the infrastructure of buildings with an average age of more than 90 years old. Other upgrades include replacing roofing, adding new boilers, and bathroom renovations.

The school’s ventilation system is being reworked with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind. The variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system will provide better quality and higher-efficiency heat, and the distribution will allow the flow to mix with outside fresh air “to make sure we’re getting enough fresh air in the building for kids and staff,” said Scott.

Renovations in 2004 updated the heating and cooling systems in part of the building. During this next part of construction, the VRF system will be retrofitted into the rest of it.

The district is partnering on the project with Danis Construction, which has already almost completed work at two other schools. In addition to the HVAC system, remaining renovations to be finished at the high school/junior high building include ceiling replacements with new LED lights, environmental abatement, remodeling bathrooms, and installing a new electric transformer.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • CSU Pueblo Installs Solar-Powered Charging Benches

    Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) recently announced that it has installed four solar-powered charging benches from Bluebolt Outdoor, LLC, according to a news release.

  • Minnesota District Partners with Kraus-Anderson on Four Construction Projects

    Stillwater Area Schools in Lake Elmo, Minn., recently announced a partnership with Kraus-Anderson for construction projects at four schools in the district, according to a news release. The projects’ funding comes from a $175-million referendum passed in November 2023.

  • California School District Starts Construction on Public Safety Center

    The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) recently announced that construction has begun on a new public safety center that will house the district’s safety and security programs. According to a news release, the James Ramos Center for Public Safety will measure in at 17,140 square feet and contain the district’s Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, and cadet program.

  • University of Kentucky Stormwater Harvesting System Receives Award

    The Utilities and Energy Management team from the University of Kentucky recently received a Grand Award at the 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards, according to a university news release. The award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Kentucky was for the university’s Central Utility Plant (CUP) Stormwater Harvesting System, which activated in fall 2023.

Digital Edition