You may have seen some of the changes taking place at Roanoke Catholic School while driving by on I-581: the school’s windows are being upgraded to more energy efficient models and parts of the roof have been replaced on the campus. Inside classrooms older window air-conditioning units have been upgraded with new, more energy efficient “split system” coolers.
The 125-year-old school is completing some of that upgrading and will have it in place by the time students return next month, according to principal Patrick Patterson. His first goal after coming aboard in 2010 was to boost enrollment from about 250 to over 400, then Patterson wanted to tackle the aging, energy inefficient campus.
If Catholic wants to remain “cost competitive,” said Patterson then not spending excess funds on utility bills every month is a good place to start.
The lower (elementary) school building dated back to the 1930’s and featured the original windows until they were replaced. All of the exterior doors and the windows were replaced during Patterson’s first capital campaign two years ago. The room air conditioning units were upgraded as well; Patterson utilized local contractors and suppliers to keep the business in the valley.
Single-pane windows “that were letting cool air out and letting hot air in at the wrong times,” were in need of replacing. Roofs needed to be replaced as well. Patterson started a campaign that now includes setting aside two percent of the annual budget for capital improvements. Then when major renovations were needed the school would conduct “mini capital campaigns,” said Patterson. The gym was upgraded a few years ago with a new roof, lighting and windows, among other changes.
In 2011-2012 the original roof on the high school building was replaced with one that is “much more eco-friendly,” said Patterson in regards to heating and cooling. “Everything we’ve done is with an eye towards reducing our carbon footprint, since so much of our campus is run off electric power. It [also] makes us better stewards of our environment.” Not to mention that every dollar that doesn’t go towards paying the electric bill can be put towards scholarships to help some students stay at the private school.
The high school windows, doors and cooling systems at the high schools are being finished up this summer – that’s what is visible from I-581. In fact the school will be more visible from the highway in the days to come – some of the brush on the hillside will be cut back, affording a better view of the school campus. Patterson said they will be “very selective” as to what they cut down. “[When] you’re so proud of the renovations you’re doing [you want to show it off].”
All told the renovations total around 1.25 million dollars to date; a generous donation from a Charlottesville family helped jumpstart the capital campaign when they issued a dollar-for-dollar challenge grant – $80,000 worth of windows turned into $160,000 that meant new lighting, roofing materials, split systems and windows. Patterson figures another million dollars is needed to finish off the upgrades.
There are two more phases slated for the high school building, which includes reconfiguring classroom space as the enrollment grows. “We’ve been blessed – we’ve been able to maintain our enrollment,” noted Patterson. That next phase at the high school starts next spring. Feedback from students, staff and alumni has been positive, with some past Catholic students lamenting on Facebook that they wish the school had air conditioning when they went there. “It brings back memories for a lot of people.”
Overseeing the campus upgrade as the principal is a far cry from Patterson’s days as a counselor at William Byrd High School. He’s relishing the challenge: “We’re really excited about the renovations,” said Patterson, “it’s been a long time in coming but we’ve been very blessed. We’re smart about the decisions we’re making going forward. We want this place to be around for another 125 years.”
– Gene Marrano
