School District Approves Spending up to $2.4M on Energy Efficient Projects

The splashed into the "going-green" scene with a decision to add an energy-efficient pool heater before school started, and the improvements are not going to stop there.

In fact, the School Board approved a decision to borrow up to $2.4 million to help make its buildings more energy-friendly during its meeting on Monday.

Director of Business Services Jim Froemming said the borrowing amount will give the district some "wiggle room" for the project.

"This doesn’t necessarily lock us in to having to this (amount borrowed)," Superintendent Michael Weber said. "We need to see what the actual bids that come in are going to be."

The project involves a range of upgrades, including: sealing exterior openings and insulation upgrades to help with energy consumption; upgrading water heating and flow technology; and upgrading control systems, among other things.

Weber at a School Board meeting in August said the energy projects were important for the "future stability" of the district.

The district is working with McKinstry, a firm that works with companies on improving energy efficiency. The costs of the project will include a 7 percent commission price paid to McKinstry.

Board president James Eden said he sees the move as a proactive approach to maintaining the district's buildings.

"Rather than wait for (things) to fall apart, I’d rather have (this move forward)," he said.