A Closer Look at Facilities

Behind the walls and beneath the classrooms of our schools are mechanical systems that most students and families never see but depend on every day. In several of Mount Vernon City Schools’ older buildings, those systems include aging boilers, piping and other infrastructure that have served the district for many years.

District maintenance staff work throughout the year to keep these systems operating and to address repairs and maintenance as needs arise.

As mechanical systems age, maintaining them becomes increasingly challenging. Boilers are only one part of a much larger system of pipes, valves, controls and other components that must work together to distribute heat throughout a building. The age and design of this infrastructure can make repairs more complicated and require continued investment to keep the systems functioning reliably.

Older piping and related building systems can require repairs in areas that are difficult to access, adding another layer of complexity to maintaining facilities constructed many decades ago.

Heating, cooling and ventilation are essential parts of providing a comfortable and productive learning environment for students and staff. In several of Mount Vernon City Schools’ older buildings, however, aging infrastructure makes maintaining consistent indoor temperatures increasingly challenging.

In older elementary buildings, window air-conditioning units and aging heating and ventilation systems are still relied upon to help regulate classroom temperatures.

Unlike modern centralized HVAC systems, older equipment can make it more difficult to provide consistent heating, cooling and ventilation throughout an entire building. Maintaining these systems also becomes more challenging as equipment ages and replacement parts and repairs are needed.

While district maintenance staff continue working to keep existing equipment operating and classrooms comfortable, the age and design of the buildings limit opportunities for comprehensive HVAC improvements.

 Modern systems would provide greater control over classroom environments while improving the overall functionality and efficiency of the facilities.

Many of the challenges associated with aging school facilities are found in areas the public rarely sees. Above classrooms and hallways, roofing systems and supporting structures require ongoing maintenance to protect the building and the learning spaces below.

Over time, aging roofing materials, drainage systems and building components require continued attention, repairs and maintenance to prevent water intrusion and protect the integrity of the buildings.

Older school buildings can also present unique challenges when repairs are needed. Roof designs, structural components and materials reflect the construction methods used when the schools were originally built, making some improvements more complicated than they would be in a modern facility.

Mount Vernon City Schools’ maintenance staff continue to monitor and address facility needs as they arise. However, maintaining aging roofs and structures is another example of the resources required to keep older buildings functioning while addressing systems that are reaching or have exceeded their expected service life.

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority throughout Mount Vernon City Schools. Over the years, the district has added security measures to its existing buildings, but many of the district’s older elementary schools were constructed long before today’s approach to school security and secured entrances became standard.

While security procedures and technology have been added over time, the physical layout of the building was not originally designed to provide the type of controlled, purpose-built entrance found in newer schools.

Modern school design allows security to be considered from the very beginning. A secured entrance and vestibule can be incorporated into the building’s layout so visitors are appropriately directed through the school office before gaining access to other areas of the building.

For older facilities, creating that same type of configuration can be difficult because entrances, offices, hallways and other spaces were designed for a different time. District staff continue to use established safety procedures and available security measures, but the physical structure of a building can limit the improvements that can reasonably be made.

Every student, staff member and visitor should be able to safely and easily access the spaces within our schools. In some of Mount Vernon City Schools’ older elementary buildings, however, the design and age of the facilities create accessibility challenges that are difficult to overcome.

Accessibility affects more than students who use wheelchairs. An injury, temporary mobility limitation or other physical need can make navigating stairs difficult for students, staff members, parents and visitors. Older building designs can also make it challenging for the district to provide equitable access to programs and services throughout a school.

While modifications can help address some concerns, the physical design of aging buildings places limits on what can reasonably be accomplished. Modern schools can be designed from the beginning with accessible entrances, appropriately designed restrooms, accessible routes throughout the building, and learning and activity spaces that can be reached and used by everyone.

A school cafeteria is more than a place to eat lunch. It is an important part of the daily operation of a school, serving hundreds of students while allowing meals to be prepared, served and cleaned up efficiently.

In some of Mount Vernon City Schools’ older elementary buildings, cafeteria and gymnasium functions must share the same space. This means the area must transition throughout the day between physical education, meal service and other school activities. Tables and equipment must be set up, moved and stored as the space is needed for different purposes.

A modern elementary school can be designed with a dedicated cafeteria and full-service kitchen, allowing meal service to take place without interfering with physical education or other activities. At the same time, a separate gymnasium can remain available for PE classes, programs and school events.

Mount Vernon City Schools staff work hard to provide students with the services and support they need, but in some of the district’s older elementary buildings, limited space can make that increasingly challenging.

Areas that were designed for other purposes are now serving as health clinics, intervention and specialized learning spaces, staff work areas, storage, and other student support spaces. In some cases, staff must make the most of small or shared areas simply because additional dedicated space is not available.

The challenges extend beyond individual classrooms. Older buildings were designed for a different era of education, before schools were expected to provide the range of specialized instruction, intervention, technology, health services and student supports that are part of educating children today.

While staff continue to creatively adapt these spaces, the buildings themselves limit opportunities to create purpose-built environments for students and the professionals who serve them.

What should a modern elementary school provide for Mount Vernon students? 

Modern school facilities can provide secure entrances, spacious gymnasiums, dedicated art and music classrooms, STEM and digital media learning spaces, full-service kitchens and cafeterias, properly equipped school nurse suites, libraries with appropriate space and storage, and improved parking and student drop-off areas. Purposefully designed classrooms and learning areas also give teachers greater flexibility to meet the needs of today’s students.

These improvements are at the heart of Mount Vernon City Schools’ proposed facilities plan. The plan calls for the construction of three new elementary schools, replacing older elementary buildings and providing students across the district with more equitable access to modern learning environments. 

The proposed 1% earned income tax levy would provide the local funding needed to make these projects possible. The earned income tax applies to earned income, such as wages and self-employment income, and does not apply to retirement income, Social Security benefits or investment income.

The goal is about more than replacing buildings. It is an opportunity to honor the district’s past while creating safe, accessible and functional schools designed to serve Mount Vernon students and the community for generations to come.