The move by the state government to equip schools and children's facilities with ventilation devices by autumn is causing massive irritation to the district and municipalities.
Because: There are no rules, no guidelines, nothing.
District Administrator Stefan Frey thinks little of the idea.
District - ventilation is always good, not just in times of corona. With ventilation devices for schools and children's facilities, the district and municipalities do not have it, as countless resolutions from the past few months show. The renewed attempt by the state government to equip all schools and daycare centers with devices by autumn with a 50 percent subsidy has met with many questions and great rejection, and not only because of the costs.
District Administrator Stefan Frey was this week at a meeting of Upper Bavarian district administrators, among whom there is great displeasure. For several reasons: The actual effectiveness of the devices is controversial, "normal" ventilation via windows is still necessary. And: If the numbers were to rise sharply in the fall, the schools would be completely or partially shut down anyway, says Frey - regardless of whether there are ventilation devices there or not.
The district administrators see an urgent and considerable need for discussion, both in terms of content and politics. Frey prepares for all solutions, lets classrooms count and, in the worst-case scenario, draws up concepts for collective tenders for devices. “I expect very high costs,” he says. “And I'm excited to see what's to come.” It is much more important and more sensible to invest in good vaccination campaigns, especially now when it is becoming increasingly difficult to find people who are ready to be vaccinated.
Gilching's mayor Manfred Walter can only shake his head at the state government's move. “We don't know how to do it,” he says. It is unclear which devices and standards are required - and what about existing systems, whether they have to be retrofitted. Awarding and tendering are not at all affordable until autumn - if there are no exceptions. Buying the ventilation equipment by the end of the holidays is “completely illusory” from Walter's point of view. For his community, he expects at least 500,000 euros.
Gautings Mayor Dr. Brigitte Kössinger for her community. "We don't have this money, we'd have to take out a loan," she says, and admits: "I was very angry about the prime minister from my own party because we just couldn't keep it." dealt intensively with the topic and so far have not bought any ventilation devices. In Gauting alone, 160 classrooms are to be supplied. "In order to receive funding, we would have to advertise Europe-wide," says Kössinger, and is even more annoyed that this argument was called a murderous argument. It's about tax money. She also wants a clear statement from the district. “That would help us in the discussion with the parents. We take the problem very seriously. "
Herrsching's mayor, Christian Schiller, has to sigh when it comes to air filters. The local council had already dealt with the topic several times and rejected it with a large majority - mainly because the statements made so far, for example by the district office or the Federal Environment Agency, would show many disadvantages. In addition, there is the financially "high expense". Because the acquisition costs alone are not enough, says Schiller, and he counts the power consumption, a possible upgrade of the building's power supply and maintenance costs. “The 50 percent subsidy from the Free State doesn't help.” As long as there are no new findings, he sees no need for a new discussion. Schiller has a different assumption anyway: "The thing gives me the impression thatas if it were a quick shot towards the election campaign. "
Since the rejected CSU application on the subject of air filters in schools six months ago, the opinion of Starnberg's mayor Patrick Janik has not changed either. “I am still skeptical,” he says. Financially, a purchase would be an "unpleasant development": Even if the Free State would assume 50 percent of the expenditure, "at the moment, the remaining costs are difficult to meet".
Some already have the devices.
The municipality of Berg had already purchased ventilation devices for their Oskar Maria Graf primary school before the second lockdown.
Headmistress Dr.
Silke Rogosch is happy that 14 devices are running.
“Especially after the lockdown, that made us feel good.” Despite initially lacking funding, the community had purchased the equipment for 28,000 euros.
In January it turned out that there was funding.
The operation is flawless, so Rogosch .. “In an empty room you think the device is very loud.
But if the children are there, it's okay. ”And of course the room will continue to be aired regularly.
Feldafing has not purchased any equipment.
“We have windows in our school,” says Mayor Bernhard Sontheim.
Inning takes a completely different path. Some time ago, the local council took the decision in principle to equip primary schools, kindergartens and after-school facilities with ventilation systems. These suck in the used air in all class and group rooms and exchange it for outside air, which is heated via heat exchangers. The administration is currently preparing the tender, Mayor Walter Bleimaier is reckoning with costs of around 400,000 euros.