dazuniga@mcsd.k12.ca.us
Merced City School District Board appoints Julianna Stocking as new Superintendent
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2024
Contact: Dominique Zuniga
Communications Director
DaZuniga@mercedcsd.org
209.385.6678
Merced City School District Transportation Moves Toward “Zero Emissions” Fall 2024
In partnership with F&H Construction, and Golden Valley Engineering, Merced City School District held a groundbreaking ceremony on the morning of May 10, to commemorate the planned installation of 18 electric bus charging stations and the newly constructed area of the District’s transportation department that will support a fleet of electric buses set to serve the students of MCSD in fall of 2024.
The “Zero Emission Vehicle” (ZEV) project is a response to the state of California’s added policy, requiring facilities of public agencies to develop energy conservation, cogeneration, and alternate energy supply sources. Upon conducting research and detailed estimates, the District received Board approval early in 2024 to enter into an energy savings contract with F&H Construction and Golden Valley Engineering.
This project, inclusive of 3 dual port chargers, 12 single port chargers, and 10 electric buses, will provide the District with an estimated reduction of fossil fuel usage by approximately 585,008 gallons over the expectant lifecycle of 15 years, at a cost savings of approximately $3,159,040, and total cumulative project savings of $1,668,813 over the 15-year projection.
Approximately $6.7 million in grant funding and rebates were awarded to support the majority of the costs associated with the ZEV project, requiring the District to invest no more than $1.6M over the course of two years.
“Ensuring the District takes continual strides toward reducing emissions while remaining fiscally prudent is a priority. I am grateful for our District staff and contracted partners who play a significant role in helping us get there”, stated Acting Superintendent Brian Meisenheimer.
MCSD anticipates beginning student transportation services with electric buses early next school year.
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MCSD Makes Strides to Improve Indoor Air Quality
and Board Member Effectiveness
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2024
For nearly a decade, indoor air quality improvements have incrementally occurred across Merced City School District through the completion of site assessments and District and grant funding. While there is still more work to be done, we are pleased of our progress and improvements completed thus far in service of our nearly 12,000 students and 1,400 staff members.
Measure M grant funding received in 2014, allowed MCSD to begin the process of large modernization projects affording the replacement of approximately 25% of the District’s overall HVAC systems. Through Measure M funding, 8 sites received new HVAC systems and 4 additional sites have a majority of units that are less than 10 years old.
Through the support of Measure M and Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER I) Funds, outdoor learning environments have been made possible at 8 of our schools. A portion of the one-time COVID relief ESSER funds, were designated for outdoor learning environments due to the direct connection to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and supporting student health needs.
Health benefits of outdoor learning environments are limitless as students use creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills in unstructured environments while simultaneously breathing in outdoor, fresh air.
In 2022 the District qualified for funding through AB 841 CalSHAPE program, intended to assess, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in public schools. MCSD is working with Veragy and upon completion of the assessment will begin to produce reports to the California Energy Commission regarding recommendations for repairs and replacements per funding requirements.
MCSD partnered with UC Davis and TRANE to study air quality within classrooms. Using findings from full campus air quality assessments the District plans to complete an application providing potential opportunities for additional funding.
TRANE has completed the installation of new thermostat control systems in every classroom across the District to manage the automation of HVAC systems. Benefits of this process include immediate access to view Co2 levels in each classroom, and making adjustments to ensure the highest quality of air in classrooms at any time of the day with consideration of outside air quality. Additionally, MCSD is currently 95% complete with changing all HVAC units to operate with a MERV 13 filter.
Merced City School District Trustees have contracted with a consulting firm to conduct Board Governance Training Workshops designed to provide each trustee with tools that will further encourage productive discussions and meetings, allowing them to focus on improving student outcomes.
This training is an annual practice for Board members and is a collaborative effort, ultimately designed to refine their set of tools in the following areas.
- Training in regards to Brown Act and other legal requirements
- Communication methods such as listen before responding, keep discussion moving forward, protect confidentiality, thoughtful discussion and debates that all correlate to running effective meetings
- Protocols and Goals that align with the District’s core values
The District is grateful for the hard working staff, trustees, and community members working in partnership to create world-class learning experiences to educate, engage and inspire our students. May we continue to let MCSD’s core values be the north star that guide and inform our work.
Brian Meisenheimer
Acting Superintendent
Merced City School District