Updates reported at the Winters Joint Unified School District Jan. 16 school board meeting covered ongoing construction projects at Winters High School, and an update on Prop 39 Solar Projects at select school districts locations.
Facility Projects Mary Fitzpatrick, Bond Project/Program Manager with Van Pelt Construction Services, reported the octagon building at Winters High School was demolished over the 2019 winter break. As of mid-January 2020, developers were in the process of removing hazardous soil and breaking up the foundation. The next step after the removal of the building’s foundation is to back fill the area with new soil and get ready to lime treat the area for the new Administration Building.
Drawings of the anticipated 12-classroom building were reviewed potential cost savings and constructability issues. She said BCA Architects will address some of the items in the drawings and will have an electrical engineer review a few items regarding temporary power to the existing main building and portables during construction. Landmark and Van Pelt Construction Services will continue to look for any additional items.
Fitzpatrick said the drawings are expected to be approved by March 2020, with an expected construction start date of May 2020.
She also reported the school district is exploring options for additional Measure R funds which could include a modular classroom building for the Shirley Rominger Intermediate School site.
Saving with Solar Winters JUSD Superintendent Todd Cutler reported the school district has seen a savings of $21,774 since the addition of solar panels at the school district office and the middle school (Prop 39 Solar Projects). The district office locations has generated savings of $5,847 and the middle school has generated savings of $15,926.
Cutler said in comparing their energy-use trends from July-June 2017-18 to that used July-June 2018-19 the middle school used 56 kilowatts less in 2018/19 while the district office used 22 kilowatts less in the same time frame.
He shared graphs depicting energy usage during the week, and how much energy is collected and sold back to PG&E over the weekend.
Cutler said the market cost of kilowatt/hour, daily temperatures and electrical demand are three of the most significant influences on usage and cost of electricity.
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