We provide well maintained schools and a safe environment that enhances our student’s educational experience. Our departmental areas of responsibility include building and grounds maintenance, custodial operations, management of community use requests, and long range planning and facilities management.
Healthy and Safe Schools
The four areas covered by the Healthy and Safe Schools Plan include; radon, lead in drinking water, lead paint and integrated pest management. Additionally, we follow air quality safety protocols related to asbestos and vehicle idling near school buildings.
- Radon Testing
- Lead in Drinking Water
- Asbestos (info coming)
- Lead Paint (info coming)
- Integrated Pest Management
- Motor Vehicle Idling Policy
Background Check for Contractors
Subject to Oregon Revised Statutes Chapters 279A, 279B and 279C and the District’s Public Contracting Rules, all public contracts shall be based upon competitive quotes, bids or request for proposal, except where specifically exempt. Upon award of contract, all workers are required to pass a background check prior to having unsupervised access to school campuses.
Sustainable Facilities Stewardship
A key part of being environmentally sustainable is to implement green cleaning processes to reduce our footprint on the environment. Reducing chemical usage, limiting water use and encouraging recycling are all part of our school operations. Safe chemical management training has been implemented district-wide and we use third-party certified green cleaners.
- Toilet paper and paper towels have a high percentage of recycled fibers.
- Trash can liners are replaced only when necessary rather than routine replacement. When replacing trash can liners we now use a thinner liner.
- Electronics and batteries are recycled. Fluorescent lamp and projector bulb recycling program.
- Micro cloths, rather than paper towels, are used for glass/mirror cleaning. Cleaning chemicals and dispensing units are designed to use cold water, using less energy.
- Floor cleaning equipment assigned to each facility is designed to use fewer chemicals and water. Equipment features duel-cylindrical brushes (rather than a disc pad) which reduces waste, as the cylindrical brushes last much longer.
Energy and Water
Corvallis High School, Linus Pauling Middle School, Kathryn Jones Harrison Elementary School, Adams Elementary School, Cheldelin Middle School, and Crescent Valley High School are participating in the Energy Trust of Oregon program. These improvements have resulted in an average 6.5% electricity savings and 4% natural gas savings at the first of the three schools, resulting in annual savings of over $19,000 per year.
- The school space schedules have been optimized to reduce heating, lighting and cooling energy use. All schools have implemented a holiday shutdown checklist to conserve energy.
- Boilers and hot water heaters have been replaced with high-efficiency units.
- Energy recovery units serving gym ventilation systems have been upgraded.
- Corvallis High School installed a 117-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic array. The project delivers environmental benefits each year equivalent to planting 93 acres of trees or reducing the miles driven by passenger cars by 236,000 miles. The system is projected to save the school district more than $21,000 in electric costs in the first ten years and nearly $317,000 over 25 years.
- Upgraded utility tracking software has been added to allow better monitoring of building energy use
- A new 150-kilowatt (kW) system will be installed by the Corvallis School District in partnership with the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, Oregon Clean Power Cooperative and many private investors. The system will include a battery back-up system for community resiliency. Read about this project here.
Major lighting retrofits have been conducted. Mercury vapor and metal halide lamps in gyms have been replaced with efficient fluorescent lamps. “Alto” lamps (lower in mercury gases) are used when possible. CFL and LED lamps are used as replacements are made. Regular monitoring of utility use has helped us to discover and repair leaks and has led to energy and cost savings. Cleaning chemicals and dispensing units are designed to use cold water, using less energy.
School Grounds and Building Maintenance
Our district includes thirteen school locations, the district administration building, and the Western View Center meeting space. While the average age of our buildings is 50+ years, a 2013 facility assessment report noted that they have been well cared for and exhibit a high level of maintenance.
Resources for Staff
All work orders and room scheduling are managed through an online process. Contact your campus steward if you need assistance.