Moffat County School District will receive a significant boost to their capital projects fund next year, with a $1,574,095 BEST Grant through the Colorado Department of Education, according to a district news release.

BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) is a matching grant, and districts are designated matching percentages depending on a number of factors. MCSD will match $1,395,895, for a total project cost of $2,969,991.

This funding is budgeted to substantially overhaul and upgrade Heating, Ventilation and Cooling at Moffat County High School and Sunset Elementary School. This project will replace outdated equipment at both schools and will also add cooling to both facilities.

The district’s intention is to make this Phase 1 in a district-wide HVAC overhaul, leveraging future opportunities to fund similar projects at all its buildings as well as becoming more energy-efficient.

“Moffat County School District will continue to maximize its opportunities to fund facilities projects, which remain a significant priority in a district with aging buildings and limited resources,” the release stated. “The district’s top priority is to educate and inspire students to thrive, and the environments in which those activities take place are critical to their success.”