A heating, ventilation and air conditioning project at Palmerton High School is wrapping up just in time for the return of students on Monday.

Tim Sisock, project manager with Barry Isett and Associates, said last week that classrooms and corridors are buttoned up and new ceilings, lighting, and all unit ventilators are in place.The renovation took place over the summer and is part of a larger improvement project at the district’s junior and senior high schools.“All of our contractors did a great job,” Sisock said. “It was a lot of work in a little amount of time, but they worked around the clock and on weekends to meet the deadlines. There will be some growing pains. You might see a painter here or there or someone fixing a light bulb.”The district awarded three contracts totaling $8.6 million for the project to Midline Mechanical, CMG of Easton and Ace Electric.Sisock didn’t have final financial numbers for the project available last week.“We’re still sorting through some deductions and change orders,” he said.Junction boxes and wiring in the ceiling was corrected to bring it up to code.Sisock said that cost was offset by the $95,000 credit the district received for using Fiberglas insulation instead of the more expensive Armaflex insulation.Two chillers will provide the air to the senior and junior high schools.“While there will be ventilation flowing, the air conditioning will not be running,” Sisock said.Piping has already been run to the end of both buildings, according to Sisock.Responding to a question from board member Barry Scherer at last week’s meeting, Palmerton Facilities Manager Joe Faenza said a service contract would likely be required for maintenance of the chillers after the warranty expires.Work is ongoing on land development plans for a project headlined by a 13,420-square-foot addition to the existing Palmerton Junior High School building, and renovation to the track and football field with a synthetic turf and drainage system.“We are still going through approvals,” Sisock said. ‘We got pre-conditional approval from the county and we’re waiting on the township and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.”