Rossview High School HVAC issues persist after pipe rupture contaminated system

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Rossview High School’s aging HVAC system has undergone repeated repairs after a pipe rupture this year allowed mud and debris into the system, creating ongoing air conditioning issues in the building, according to the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System.

CMCSS spokesperson Anthony Johnson told Clarksville Now the district has been working for months to address problems within Rossview High’s 25-year-old geothermal HVAC system. Johnson said the HVAC team already had a busy start to the school year, with about 700 works orders throughout CMCSS. At Rossview High, the geothermal system has had intermittent issues, especially during the “record-breaking heat this summer,” he said.

What caused Rossview HVAC issues?

In January, the HVAC system at Rossview High experienced a failure when underground piping ruptured, according to Johnson. This allowed mud and other debris to enter the system. “Geothermal Maintenance Company, based in Kentucky, worked alongside CMCSS maintenance staff to repair and replace a section of piping near the rear of the student parking lot,” Johnson said.

Later in the spring, the system started experiencing water flow issues. Despite the units’ strainers that are designed to keep debris from getting through the piping system, “muddy silt material” was found in strainers throughout the building, he said. The debris restricted water flow and caused further issues with the HVAC units. “To address the problem, we obtained quotes for a complete system flush and issued Geothermal Maintenance Company a $20,000 purchase order to flush the building loop and the entire well field,” Johnson said.

After this was completed, the system functioned correctly for several weeks. But then additional debris was found in the strainers, including rust, sand, silt, and small metal objects. The maintenance company returned to Rossview High for an additional flush at no extra cost to CMCSS. However, with how the building’s piping is configured, and the lack of functioning isolation valves, it was not possible to effectively flush all of the interior piping, Johnson said.

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He added that the remaining debris continued to gather on some of the HVAC equipment and the district’s maintenance team has been working weekly to mitigate the issue. Johnson said they have seen improvements, with more than 100 work orders completed and one still pending while awaiting parts. The parts are anticipated to arrive in the coming weeks, and temporary units are serving that area in the meantime.

“Geothermal HVAC systems can be highly efficient, but they can also present significant service challenges when major failures occur,” he said. “Very few contractors have the specialized equipment and experience necessary to service these systems, and locating the equipment required for a complete system flush can be difficult.” Johnson added these operations also cost a substantial amount for a facility the size of Rossview High.

“We understand the impact these HVAC issues have on students, staff, and administrators, and we recognize the importance of maintaining a comfortable learning environment,” he said. “Providing reliable building maintenance and a comfortable environment throughout CMCSS remains a priority for our department. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of the Rossview High School community as we continue working toward a long-term resolution.”

CMCSS faces millions in facility needs

The Montgomery County Commission previously approved $2.5 million in funding to replace the HVAC system at Woodlawn Elementary last fiscal year and $4.5 million to replace the 36-year-old HVAC at Northeast Middle for this fiscal year, according to Johnson. Overall, he said the commission approved $6.9 million this fiscal year for CMCSS capital projects. That included funding for the HVAC and chiller replacement at Northeast Middle and the wastewater treatment system replacement at Montgomery Central High.

He added that the district has about $200 million in capital project needs over the next five years, with HVAC and roof repairs or replacements among CMCSS’ highest-priority and highest-cost needs. “The 5-year Capital Project Requests document presented this budget cycle includes a request for $250,000 for repairs and conversion for RHS’ geothermal system and a $75,000 replacement of the units in the kitchen and cafeteria that will be needed next fiscal year,” Johnson said.

The capital projects requests document will be presented to the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board and the County Commission in the spring of 2027 during the budget approval process, with additional revisions based on current facility needs, he said.

Rossview High’s geothermal HVAC system was installed during the building’s construction in 2001 at a cost of $28 million, according to Johnson. Kirkwood High School uses the same prototype, though its HVAC system is a modern, non-geothermal version. When installed in 2023, Kirkwood’s system cost $91 million. West Creek High School, which opened in 2009 school year, is the only other school with the geothermal system.

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