Sartell St. Stephen School District Prepares to Borrow $20 Million to Upgrade Riverview Intermediate School’s HVAC System

(KNSI) — The Sartell School District is preparing to borrow an estimated $20 million to upgrade Riverview Intermediate School’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

The former high school was built in 1969 and still uses the original HVAC system. Superintendent Tom Lee sat down with KNSI News and said the repairs are urgent. “This is one of those things that I think is time-sensitive, and looking from the outside, this to me is a no brainer. We have to get this done. It is an absolute need.”

Lee explained how the HVAC system is hampering student achievement. “It’s not a great learning environment when you’re overly hot, or you’re cold, because we can’t control the inside temperatures, and so on. And so, it’s about providing the highest quality learning environment we possibly can by improving the indoor air quality.”

The project qualifies for long-term facilities maintenance bonds, meaning the renovations don’t need to go before voters because it qualifies as a health and safety project. The renovations can proceed with the school board’s approval, which could happen in October. The project will then go out for bids.

Half of the school will be upgraded in 2025 and the other half in 2026, but the work will happen during the summer, so it doesn’t interrupt the school day.

Lee estimates the bonds would be paid back over 16 years and cost the owner of a $300,000 house around $150 a year in taxes.

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