Reductions in state aid made it necessary for New York’s Lake Shore Central School District to examine all areas of its operations. And in the 2012-13 school year, the district used first-year budgetary savings to fund a multi-year consulting agreement with energy experts and an energy-saving program.
Under the new energy agreement—after the upfront costs and consulting fees are paid at the end of the fourth year—all annual savings can be used in other areas of the budget.
The Lake Shore Central district also employs a teacher on special assignment as a full-time energy specialist. This teacher performs building audits during off-duty hours to insure that various building systems, such as HVAC, pumps, motors and fans, are not operating when they are scheduled to be idle.
The designated teacher also teaches lessons on energy savings as part of science courses. In conjunction with this program, the district has used state aid and grant funding to upgrade interior and exterior lighting to LED. It also has purchased thin client computing solutions for student technology. Thin client computers, which include Energy Star-compliant monitors, use an Ethernet network and are controlled with one central file server. The minimal hardware required for these units allowed administrators to purchase more units for students and reduce the amount of electricity needed.
The district’s overall savings, from November 2012 to March 2014, is more than $200,000.
"The district has reduced its carbon footprint and energy costs, directing the savings to sustaining instructional programs and expanding energy education for our students. This is part of our legacy as parents, educators and community members,” says Daniel Pacos, assistant superintendent for administration and finance.
In recognition of the innovation and success of this initiative, Lake Shore Central School District has been named a District of Distinction by District Administration. The district was among 49 districts that were honored in the inaugural round of Districts of Distinction, the magazine’s new national recognition program.
“We are pleased to honor Lake Shore Central School District as a District of Distinction,” says JD Solomon, editorial director at District Administration magazine. “Like all our honorees, Lake Shore Central serves as a model for school leaders across the country.”