MD Rahman

SEN. RAHMAN, REP. WEIR WELCOME $412,317 IN STATE GRANTS TO UPGRADE RHAM HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL AIR FILTRATION

Today, State Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester) and State Representative Steve Weir (R-55) welcomed this week’s announcement that Governor Ned Lamont’s administration will award RHAM High School through Region District 8 with $412,317 through the HVAC Indoor Air Quality Grants Program for Public Schools to improve air filtration and quality. This is part of a $56 million grant release to school systems across the state.

RHAM High School will receive $249,424 for school HVAC upgrades and $162,894 for locker room HVAC upgrades; Region District 8 will supply remaining project costs. The funds can be used for replacing, upgrading or repairing boilers and other heating/ventilation components; replacing controls and technology systems for HVAC operations; installing or upgrading air conditioning or ventilation systems; or other work approved by the Department of Administrative Services.

“Students, and student-athletes, need healthy conditions to learn, grow and thrive,” said Sen. Rahman. “I’m encouraged that this funding will make RHAM High School a cleaner school for all students. I’m grateful to the Governor’s administration for its support.”

“All three of my girls have attended RHAM Middle School, and my youngest is currently at RHAM High School,” Rep. Weir said. “RHAM has a quality facilities staff and I’m confident that they will provide input on how to ensure these upgrades improve the student experience and provide the most value for RHAM taxpayers.”

Governor Lamont said, “One thing the COVID-19 pandemic exposed is that many school buildings, particularly those that are of a certain age, are in serious need of air quality improvements. Modernized ventilation systems provide an important public health function that filtrate the air and reduce airborne contaminants, including particles containing viruses. Most importantly, these air filtration systems will help ensure that our students can continue receiving their education in-person, in the classroom, where they learn best. When the pandemic began, we dedicated more than $165 million in our federal relief funding to make air filtration upgrades in schools. Now, with this new state program, we have a dedicated source of funding to continue these upgrades and partner with schools on these much-needed infrastructure improvements.”

The grants program, administered by the state Department of Administrative Services, was created as part of the budget adjustment bill passed by lawmakers and signed into law in the spring of 2022. The law further requires schools to inspect and evaluate HVAC systems every five years, requires these reports to be made public, and requires the reporting of any corrective action taken.