Touting the project’s educational and energy-saving benefits, local and state leaders last week toured Edgewood Highland Elementary School to view the facility’s new heating and air conditioning system.

The work was made possible through a low-interest $2.2 million loan from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and Jeff Diehl, the bank’s CEO, joined Mayor Allan Fung, Superintendent of Schools Jeannine Nota-Masse, district Director of Plant Operations Ed Collins, Principal Marlene Gamba, state Sen. Joshua Miller, state Rep. Robert Lancia, School Committee member Jeff Gale, and representatives from National Grid for a brief ceremony and tour of the building.

The need at Edgewood Highland was significant. Built in 1970, the school houses more than 200 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Gamba and Kevin Gordon, foreman at the school, said the old system created a number of challenges in providing an ideal learning environment – including a breakdown of the air conditioning unit last year.

“This has been the most exciting renovation that I have ever been a part of,” Gamba said.

Nota-Masse praised Gamba for her “dedication and love of this building … and every student and staff member.” She noted Edgewood Highland was constructed with an “open classroom concept,” which time has shown to have limitations, and the heating and cooling system upgrades have allowed for new approaches and designs to the building’s physical setup.

The superintendent said the new system has allowed helped address acoustical and air quality issues at Edgewood Highland, and will reduce the building’s operational costs by roughly 40 percent.

“We are creating a better 21st-century learning environment for our students,” she said.

Gordon called the new system a “technological wonder.” Where control off the old system was “all manual” – and required “keeping everything together with tape and glue” – the new system incorporates classroom sensors and wireless technology.

“Now we can zone and control the different areas,” he said.

Gordon also noted the new system used equipment that was made in the United States – some of it at Taco in Cranston.

Fung praised the project, and said the city will look for other opportunities to finance projects through the Infrastructure Bank.

“As a city, we’re going to look forward to many other savings opportunities,” he said. “We have to make an environment that’s conducive to year-round learning.”

Magaziner spoke of his time as an elementary school teacher in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina, and how hot it became when the air conditioner in the building broke.

“I saw first-hand the importance of space, the importance of having things like good HVAC … You can’t teach in an environment like that,” he said.

Magaziner said that helped provide the impetus for the creation of the Infrastructure Bank. He thanked the local legislators in attendance, and called the project a “team effort.”

Diehl said the Infrastructure Bank continues to explores ways to promote efficient and renewable energy.

“Economically, this investment paid for itself … that’s how government really ought to work,” he said.

The Infrastructure Bank, previously known as the Rhode Island Clean Water Finance Agency, was created in 2015 with Magaziner as a driving force. Its name was changed, and mission expanded, through recent legislation. Its scope now includes energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and expands to public, commercial, and residential properties.

The bank provided $17.2 million to six communities, including Cranston, in its initial round of financing. The other projects were in Pawtucket, Cranston, West Warwick, Westerly, and Newport. A statement from the treasurer’s office indicates the projects will save local taxpayers more than $20 million in energy costs.