Energy savings for school district on the front burner for evaluation

    Energy savings for Holyoke School District, along with a master plan update, go hand in hand and are in discussion and evaluation stages by the Re-1J Board of Education.
    Will Benish, account executive for Schneider Electric, recently shared details for a capital recovery and reinvestment program that his company is proposing for the district. His presentation was given at the board work session following the regular meeting Monday evening, Feb. 25.
    From a workshop with Benish and the district in January, Schneider Electric has identified goals, initiatives and visions to develop a customized solution.
    Benish noted that his company will be preparing a business case analysis and report after an early-March visit to Holyoke to analyze facilities and utility bills to identify opportunities and estimated impact.
    At this point, there has been no financial obligation by the district to Schneider Electric. Following the analysis report, the district will be making decisions as to the direction it will take.
    Through an energy analysis summary, Benish told the board that Holyoke School District is spending roughly $210,000 annually on utilities. This equates to $1.17 per square foot. He pointed out that when they see districts paying more than $1 per square foot, they feel there is an opportunity for savings.
    Identified as pressing issues in the district are aging equipment, a malfunctioning controls system and outdated lighting technology.
    Benish’s presentation involved what Schneider Electric could accomplish if able to reinvest a portion of that cost to fund solutions to the district’s most pressing issues.
    Total savings impact that could be leveraged over 25 years to secure upfront funding was cited by Benish at between $800,000 and $1.6 million. This involves a 15-30 percent or $32,000-$64,000 annual savings guarantee.
    Superintendent Kyle Stumpf noted that grant funding is potentially available through the Department of Local Affairs and Building Excellent Schools Today.
    It was also noted by the board and staff that master plan decisions first need to be made on life expectancies of buildings before considering updates based on a 20- to 25-year payoff plan.
    In addition to addressing critical infrastructure needs and strengthening financial standing, Benish emphasized Schneider Electric’s desire to enhance the learning environment.
    He cited such student opportunities as job shadowing and classroom events, including a variety of fun Earth Day learning activities.
    
Policy discussion continues
    Policies/regulations from the Colorado Association of School Boards were reviewed in several stages at Monday night’s board meeting. Eight were presented, five approved on first reading and four adopted on second reading.
    Stumpf highlighted the introductory policies. They included a new regulation on staff conduct, as well as revised policies on nondiscrimination/equal opportunity, notification of school board meetings, public participation at school board meetings, bus safety program, student transportation in private vehicles, staff conduct and public conduct on district property.
    Policies that were presented Feb. 5 were approved on first reading Monday. They included revised policies on security/access to buildings and school year/school calendar/instruction time; and new policies/regulations on use of video and audio monitoring, and staff conduct and responsibilities.
    Second-reading approval was given for policies/regulations introduced Nov. 19. The topics included accountability/commitment to accomplishment, evaluation of superintendent and administering medications to students.
    
Other business
    In other business Feb. 25, the Re-1J board:
    — Reviewed a resolution for a uniform statewide school mill levy that was set to be on the CASB delegate assembly meeting agenda Feb. 28. Holyoke board member Jon Kleve gave the local report and planned to attend the delegate assembly.
    — Heard a delightful report from elementary school ESL teacher Yesenia Bencomo on her Binational Teacher Exchange Program experience.
    — Designated the administration office as the official posting location for board meeting notices. Approval of the posting place is an annual requirement, but the location was not changed.
    — Heard from Stumpf that the Standards of Excellence Committee has looked at data from the Colorado Healthy Kids Survey. The next big survey will be conducted after the S-CAP site review in March.