Ephrata schools get $42.5M HVAC overhaul after decades of failures

Decades of sweltering classrooms and frozen pipes pushed the district to act. Now, modern systems promise relief—but not until 2026.

, and Administrator

2025 November 19 . 9:27 AM

1 min read

In this image there are a few clothes hanged on the ropes on to the building and there are two... — In this image there are a few clothes hanged on the ropes on to the building and there are two outlets of an air conditioner in the building. There are glass windows on the building, in front of the building there are trees and grass on the surface and there is a metal rod fence.

Ephrata schools get $42.5M HVAC overhaul after decades of failures

The Ephrata Area school board has approved a major upgrade to three elementary schools. A $42.5 million contract with Trane Technologies will replace outdated HVAC systems at Akron, Fulton, and Highland. The work follows years of motor failures and unreliable temperature control in the buildings.

The renovation projects will tackle long-standing issues with heating and cooling. Fulton's system dates back to the 1990s, while Akron and Highland's were installed in 2006. All three schools suffer from motor breakdowns and inconsistent indoor temperatures.

The approved contracts will bring modern climate control to three aging schools. Work is set to start in 2026, with funding secured through a mix of borrowing and reserves. Meanwhile, the updated farming lease increases revenue from district-owned land.