Florence School District 3’s Board of Trustees approved the next phase of facility improvements and upgrades during its regular monthly meeting held Thursday evening.
The Board approved Phase 2 of the district’s comprehensive facilities program, developed in partnership with energy and efficiency expert Schneider Electric, to address critical infrastructure and technology needs. Approval of this phase represents another significant step in FSD3’s ongoing commitment to providing safe, efficient and comfortable learning environments for students and staff.
“Phase 2 represents another step forward in enhancing our learning environments and reflects this board’s steadfast commitment to the projects we promised to deliver,” said Jac’Kel Brown, chairman of the FSD3 Board of Trustees. “This vote further demonstrates our ongoing dedication to providing safe, efficient, and modern spaces for our students to learn and grow. While we may not yet have everything we need, we are committed to being good stewards of the resources we have as we continue pressing toward the excellence our students and community deserve.”
Phase 2 improvements will include:
- District-wide LED lighting upgrades: Replacement of interior and exterior lighting with energy-efficient LED fixtures, including proper egress lighting to meet safety codes.
- Building Automation System (BAS): Implementation of a centralized system to optimize HVAC performance and energy management across all district facilities.
- HVAC redesigns and replacements: Modernization of aging systems to enhance comfort and efficiency.
- Transformer replacements: Installation of new indoor dry-type transformers to improve electrical reliability.
- Window replacements and energy film: Select campuses will receive new windows and energy-efficient window film to improve insulation and security.
- Roof replacement: The gymnasium at Main Street Elementary School will receive a full roof replacement.
The majority of Phase 2 improvements will be funded through equipment lease financing. Window upgrades will be supported by School Safety Priority Funds allocated to FSD3 by the South Carolina Department of Education, and the roof replacement will be funded by an allocation from the SDE’s State Capital Improvement Funds.
Construction is scheduled to begin later this fall and continue throughout the next year. These upgrades will improve facility performance and safety while generating long-term operational savings that can be reinvested into student learning.
Phase 2 follows Phase 1A and Phase 1B, which focused on targeted upgrades at the Lake City Early Childhood Center over the past year. Those earlier phases included:
- Comprehensive air sealing to reduce outside airflow and improve indoor comfort
- Installation of energy-efficient window film
- Door gasketing upgrades to minimize air leakage
- Roof component replacements to extend roof life
- Installation of new pipe boots for enhanced weatherproofing
- Interior and exterior LED lighting with occupancy sensors and egress lighting
- HVAC redesigns and replacements
- Improved ventilation with exhaust fans and wall pack units
- Installation of new indoor dry-type transformers
- Integration of a state-of-the-art building automation system for centralized HVAC control
“These improvements reflect our dedication to providing high-quality learning spaces for our students,” said Kasey Feagin, Interim Superintendent. “We’re excited to partner with Schneider Electric to move into the next phase of this transformative project.”
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