BUSD to pursue CalSHAPE grant

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The Bonsall Unified School District will be seeking a California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) grant from the California Energy Commission.

The April 17 board meeting included a 4-0 vote, with Michael Gaddis absent, to adopt a resolution in support of the CalSHAPE grant application. The resolution authorizes acceptance of a grant award of up to $399,360.

“We’re excited about this opportunity,” said BUSD Superintendent Joseph Clevenger.

CalSHAPE includes two grant programs, one for plumbing and one for ventilation, for eligible parties within the service territories of the large electric and natural gas utilities in California. The program provides funding to upgrade heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) systems in public schools and replaces noncompliant plumbing fixtures and appliances which do not meet water efficiency standards.

“Breathing cleaner air and having high-quality plumbing are critical to the school experience,” Clevenger said. “We are always looking for ways to increase the quality and the safety of the programs that we offer.”

The CalSHAPE grants would be used for HVAC assessment, general maintenance and adjustment, filter replacement and carbon monoxide monitor installation, along with certain repairs, replacements and other improvements to HVAC systems.

Benefitting schools would be Bonsall Elementary, Bonsall West Elementary, Sullivan Middle School and Bonsall High. The grant would fund Bonsall Elementary for 66 assessment and maintenance activities, 138 filter replacements and 54 monitors. The money would allow Bonsall West Elementary to have 36 assessment and maintenance activities, 78 filter replacements and 31 monitors.

Sullivan Middle School would obtain 60 assessment and maintenance activities, 128 filters and 55 monitors. Bonsall High would have 12 assessment and maintenance activities, 24 filters and 12 monitors.