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Central Schools - Boiler project nears completion

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Central superintendent Nick Trenkamp is pictured in front of the school’s old boilers, which are in the process of being replaced. A number of related issues are also being addressed by the boiler project.

By Pam Reinig

Register Editor

It’s out with the old and in with the new at Central Schools, where work on a boiler replacement project is nearing completion. Superintendent Nick Trenkamp hopes the work, which started in June, will be done by the end of the month.

“The project is larger than just replacing two old boilers with three new ones,” said Trenkamp. “For example, our auditorium had ventilation that could’ve sucked carbon dioxide from the old boilers and dumped it into the auditorium. Our K-12 building did not have a back-flow to prevent bad water from the school getting into the city water line. And there were (parts of the building) that didn’t have any thermostats. All of those issues were addressed.

The old boilers, which were installed more than 50 years ago, were costing the school significant amounts of money for repair and maintenance. And because of their age, parts were getting harder to find. In addition, the old equipment was inefficient from an energy usage standpoint.

The cost of the boiler project will be around $800,000, which will be paid with funds set aside from the school’s portion of the one-cent sales tax. The school received $22,000 in rebates for installing energy-efficient boilers and Trenkamp projects decreases in month energy costs, as well. The new boilers will also tie into any other future improvements or remodeling efforts.

Installation of new boilers doesn’t solve all of the school’s infrastructure problems. 

“I’d like to encourage community members to visit our K-12 building and see the challenges we face,” Trenkamp said. “Our school is one of the largest attractors of new, young families (to our community). We must work together to ensure the communities of Central grow and thrive.

Trenkamp added that a 40-member facility committee has been meeting since June to determine future improvements for the K-12 building. The committee has heard from an architect and financing agency, and has also toured a school in Decorah that has recently completed a major remodel. 

“The committee has been focused on how to make our buildings safe, secure, accessible and efficient,” said Trenkamp. “I believe the committee will be making recommendations to the school board in the near future.”

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