District to Save With Energy Improvements

The district is contemplating an $8.5 million energy savings project, with an expected savings of $590,000 per year for a 15-year period.

Business Administrator Peter Starrs said Honeywell has provided an update to the facilities committee, and has received bids for the projects determined through a recent audit.

“The energy savings improvement program is a plan that is allowed by the state allowing us to improve efficiencies, equipment and all things for savings energy,” he said.

The district is moving forward working with Honeywell for energy saving projects in the district through a program with the county. First, there was a free energy audit through the government energy audit program before proposals were accepted from energy companies, and Honeywell was chosen.

Now, an energy plan is being put together, and it will be presented to the board soon.

Starrs said the district is allowed to move forward with paying for project improvements over a 15-year period.

At this point, the district has not determined what method specifically to move forward with, but will be looking at the one that is most cost-effective.

The board of education approved several resolutions at its Sept. 24 meeting, one that sets Honeywell as the company it will work with on the project, as well as two other resolutions authorizing $9 million in bonds for the project.

“We are taking the lead from our financial advisor to find out what that should be,” he said. “With both of them, it is a 15-year payback to do all these improvements.”

Starrs said they are looking at lighting improvements, heating and ventilating, boiler replacements and boiler controls.

“These were all on immediate capital projects because most of the boilers being replaced are 40 years old,” he said. “And this is for all the buildings.”