Oxford High School Building Problems Discussed

What’s with the fan in the Oxford High School foyer?

That’s what Board of Education members wanted to know Wednesday, when Facilities Manager John Barlow presented his report on the status of schools.

The answer could cost the district more than $10,000.

Barlow said the fan has been placed in the front foyer to cool the area down. 

When the school was built three years ago, there was no air-conditioning installed in the foyer.

It became a problem on several hot and humid days, when an alarm notification panel installed in the foyer began sending false trouble alarms, Barlow said.

It’s beyond any warrantee,” Barlow told the board. It’s a problem that’s going to fall on us.”

Options to fix the problem include moving the alarm notification panel inside the building — which could cost more than $10,000 in electrical fees, Barlow said.

Or the district could consider air conditioning the foyer, he said. 

Barlow also said the school still needs a permanent certificate of occupancy, even though students have attended it for three years now. 

Barlow, who recently started as the district’s facilities manager, said the high school building committee has a temporary certificate of occupancy, but was asked for extra documentation on railings in a stairwell.

After addressing the issue, the paperwork was never filed for the permanent certificate, Barlow said. 

Barlow also said some heating issues in a few high school classrooms still need to be addressed. 

The board did not take any action on the issues.

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