GF District targets future needs

The Grand Forks School district has updated its five year facilities plan for buildings through the 2027-28 school year. The $16.8 million dollar roadmap looks at everything from HVAC systems and roofs to new carpeting in classrooms.

Director of Building and Grounds Johnathan Ellwein told a recent meeting of the School Board Facilities Committee that roughly half the dollars are being spent this year on HVAC systems at Lewis & Clark and Kelley. Ellwein says the upgrades will address aging boiler issues in the district.  “$7.85 million dollars is going to get rid of the two big ones.  With Valley coming on line the following year those are going to be three biggest issues gone.”

Ellwein says the plan was developed based on historical data…facility surveys…user feedback…and field observations.

The to-do list does not include potential costs for getting the Central pool back up and running.