Understanding Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) 

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)