A multi-school heating and cooling program moves forward

What happened

ABM studied energy use at every Franklin County school and reported its findings to the board in September 2025. Over the following year the board took up a bundled energy agreement in two phases, then specific work: heating and cooling renovations at Rocky Mount Elementary in April and May 2026, and on August 10, 2026 three revised architect proposals covering Rocky Mount, Callaway and Snow Creek elementary schools. Benjamin Franklin Middle School had its own heating and cooling project and a roof replacement in the same year.

Why it matters to families

Heating and cooling decides whether classrooms are usable in a heat wave or a cold snap, and roofs decide whether they stay dry. Energy agreements of this kind are also paid back over many years, so they shape the division's budget long after the equipment goes in.

The evidence

The September 8, 2025 agenda lists ABM presenting "their findings from the energy efficiency studies that were completed in all Franklin County Schools". The March 9 and March 16, 2026 agendas list the ABM bundled energy agreement, phases 1A and 1B, for approval. The May 11, 2026 agenda lists ABM's energy savings proposals and engineering options for Rocky Mount Elementary, comparing an energy-as-a-service arrangement with a traditional lease. The August 10, 2026 agenda lists item 7.07, three revised RRMM Architects proposals for HVAC updates at Rocky Mount, Callaway and Snow Creek elementary schools. The published agendas do not give contract amounts and do not record the votes.

The source