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This afternoon, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) and State Representative Irene Haines (R-34) joined with East Haddam education leaders at East Haddam Elementary School to highlight $2,059,978.52 in state grant funding that will support the replacement of heating and ventilation units in the school.
“Schools that were built decades ago are supporting our children and instilling them with the benefits of education, but may have aging or inefficient air conditioning, heating or ventilation mechanisms harming air quality,” said Sen. Needleman. “This funding will support cleaner air in all of our schools, but especially support members of the school community with asthma and other respiratory conditions. I’m looking forward to seeing this and many other projects advance in months and years to come.”
“The support we’re getting through this grant is sorely needed,” said Rep. Haines. “Any help that we can get is greatly appreciated.”
“It’s been welcoming to have Senator Needleman and Representative Haines come to really look at our school and look at the challenges that exist, as bidding came in over our initial quotes,” said Dr. Teresa DeBrito, East Haddam Superintendent. “We’re very grateful for the grant funding and an opportunity to be heard.”
“The school, now, is using equipment from the 60s and late 80s, and we’re trying to replace that for better air quality, for both air conditioning and heat,” said Donald Angersola, East Haddam Director of Operations. “Without the state grant, it wouldn’t be affordable to us. The bids came back over what was anticipated; without the grant money we wouldn’t even be able to start providing better air quality for the kids and staff and make an overall better environment here.”
School officials mentioned that inflation and increased costs caused their initial bids for the project to climb beyond amounts that were expected, adding to the importance of the grant.
The funds in question are being provided through the Indoor Air Quality Grant Program, established by legislators in 2022 to provide matching grants supporting municipalities needing HVAC work. School districts and schools with greatest needs for indoor air quality improvements are prioritized to receive this funding. Funds can be used to replace, upgrade or repair boilers and other heating/ventilation components, replacing controls and technology systems and installing/upgrading air conditioning/ventilation systems.
Studies have shown that up to 10% of students and teachers may suffer from asthma or allergies, and poor indoor air quality, temperature control and allergen control can worsen these conditions. This is part of an effort to modernize ventilation systems to filter air, reduce airborne contaminants and improve the health, safety and quality of schools statewide.
Caption: From left, Director Angersola, Dr. DeBrito, Sen. Needleman and Rep. Haines speak Thursday at East Haddam Elementary School. |
