In the spirit of promoting energy efficiency along with cost-saving measures, Ontario Schools is partnering with Energy Optimizers, USA for the 2013-2014 school year. The partnership will carry out an energy savings project that is expected to boost the annual electrical, fuel, and maintenance savings by $67,578. The project is in conjunction with the Ohio House Bill 264 (the Energy Conservation Program).
President of Energy Optimizers Greg Smith discussed the project’s details during the Ontario Board meeting on Tuesday evening. He noted that Energy Optimizers had previously implemented projects at the high school, middle school, and Stingel Elementary buildings and had helped the school save $129,641 in estimated annual savings in 2012.
In the upcoming school year, Ontario will see several changes in energy management. Lighting enhancements will include replacing the HID fixtures with cost-effective LED fixtures, installing occupancy sensors that automatically turn the lights off when an area is unoccupied, among other enhancements. Additionally, the district will replace its temperature control systems.
Smith assured that the project is developed fully with the district’s input and has a three-year guarantee. The project cost is anticipated to cost $689,200. Project implementation will begin in January 2014 and is intended to be completed by May of 2014.
In addition to approving the energy savings project, the board authorized the abolishment of three bus routes, leaving the district with 15 bus routes total. As a result, bus driver Candy Hellinger’s (a retire, rehire) contract will not be renewed for the 2013-2014 school year and bus driver Tim Pruner’s position became part-time instead of full-time. Pruner was stated to have the least seniority among all of the bus drivers.
Superintendent Lisa Carmichael said of the new route system, “I think you’ll be very, very pleased with the tremendous savings, not only with the elimination of the routes, but also with more efficient mileage. I know that we’ll be able to show fuel costs and less wear and tear on the buses, which will hopefully result in less of a need to purchase new buses,” said Carmichael.
Treasurer Randy Harvey commented, “It’s going to be at least $35 – 40,000 in savings a year, plus we need two fewer buses put in rotation.”
The board meeting also covered the employment of Lisa Zupan. She will serve as the intervention specialist teacher at Stingel Elementary.
