Understanding Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas that people exhale when they breathe. Indoors, rising CO₂ levels are used as an indicator of ventilation adequacy. Elevated CO₂ levels do not indicate an immediate life-threatening emergency, but they confirm inadequate ventilation, which can negatively impact learning, comfort, and well-being.

RSU 16 Classroom and Spaces CO₂ Alert Protocol (click here)

Timeline of RSU 16 HVAC and Indoor Air Quality Efforts

May 2023: $5M HVAC Referendum failed at the polls.
December 2023: Engineering firm estimates $7.4M to fix all three elementary schools; The Board did not move forward with a proposed $10.2M Master Lease.
October 2024: RSU 16 notified no elementary HVAC projects are eligible for Department of Education School Revolving Renovation Funds (SRRF).
August 2025: Major Capital School Construction funding applications submitted for ESS, MCS, PCS. Only top 2 projects funded. MCS was 40th, ESS was 56th and PCS was 84th
October 2025: SRRF applications submitted for Indoor Air Quality projects for ESS, PCS, PRHS/WMS. Project award notification happens by Feb 1.
January 2026: Board approved a Tax-Exempt Lease Purchase for HVAC improvements in Minot, totaling $2,819,767. SRRF awards RSU 16 $6 million (58% of the $6 million will be forgiven) with additional projects costs of $3.1 million to total of $9.1 million in upgrades to ESS, PCS and PRHS/WMS.
February 3, 2026: Board Update (click here)
February 2026 Update: Our plan to install CO₂ monitors in every elementary classroom has not progressed as smoothly as anticipated. We placed an order for 261 units through Amazon on January 9, but deliveries arrived only in small, inconsistent batches. We eventually received enough to equip MCS, and those monitors were installed the week before vacation. With the exception of one detector—whose calibration we are currently questioning—all readings have been within safe limits.
In an effort to speed up delivery, we attempted to purchase the remaining units directly from the manufacturer. While they were unable to ship to us, they did assist in prompting Amazon to send the rest of the order. To move the process forward, we were required to cancel the original order and place a new one. Although the remaining detectors were expected by February 23rd , as of March 3rd, we have received less than half of the reordered units. Minot has now been fully outfitted with detectors. Daily readings show that overall levels remain within acceptable limits, though a few rooms do experience elevated—but not dangerous—levels. These particular spaces lack direct access to outdoor ventilation, and we are developing a mechanical ventilation solution to address that challenge. Monitors were deployed to the middle school during the first week of March, with Elm Street following shortly after.

Understanding Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)