Henry County Public Schools is seeing significant energy savings through its partnership with an energy conservation company. The system was able to reduce energy consumption by 9,561 million British thermal units (MMBTU) and avoid $219,926 in utility costs from Feb. 1 through Oct. 1, according to a school board document. “This represents a 15.6 percent reduction in energy costs compared to the same period during the prior year. The greenhouse gas reduction of 1,534 metric tons of carbon dioxide is equivalent to not driving 275 cars for a year,” said a report included in the board’s agenda package for its meeting Thursday night. There was no discussion of the report during the board’s meeting. However, Bill Wingfield, the school system’s executive director of operations, said in an interview that during the fall of last year, the school system contracted with the company Energy Education Inc.
According to its website, “Energy Education builds customized, comprehensive people-driven energy conservation programs that help organizations reduce their consumption of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, and water, allowing the financial savings ... .” Wingfield said under the energy conservation program, Keith Scott was hired as energy education specialist for the school system, and Energy Education Inc. has provided a variety of experts and specialists. Scott works to try to change behaviors and educate about more efficient use of energy, Wingfield said. Scott does such things as inspections and monitoring of energy systems on an ongoing basis, Wingfield said. For instance, Scott looks for energy equipment that shouldn’t be running but is; adjusts energy schedules when energy is not needed as much; does energy audits; and holds energy education training for school personnel, Wingfield said.More energy-efficient lighting and more or better insulation have been installed in some buildings, Wingfield said. “I think it has been very much a success,” Wingfield said of the energy conservation program, adding that teachers, school staffs, maintenance personnel, school administrators, the central office and school board have been supportive. He pointed to Stanleytown Elementary as an example: That school has been diligent in cutting lights off in areas where they are not needed, he said.The $219,926 figure for the amount in utility costs the school system has avoided from Feb. 1 through Oct. 1 is gross, not net, meaning the $219,926 is before Energy Education Inc.’s fee is deducted, Wingfield said. He did not have the amount of Energy Education’s contract fee available Thursday night but said the company has guaranteed that the school system will at least break even. The school division is on track “to more than break even,” Wingfield said. Also, he said, it’s important to remember how much energy costs have risen over the last year, especially costs for electricity.In other business, the school board:• Honored the Magna Vista High School football team, which won the Piedmont District championship for the second straight year and lost to Christiansburg in the regional final. The team was recognized for its recent athletic accomplishments as well as the leadership exhibited, not only by coaches, but the student athletes, school spokesman Melany Stowe said.Head coach Joe Favero thanked the community for its support. Senior captains present were Trevor Kellam, Nick Iacobucci, Dexter Dodson and Darius Saunders.• Accepted Motorola’s donation of 25 HP laptops, worth about $20,000, for Laurel Park Middle School.Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson said this donation brings Motorola’s investment in infrastructure improvements at Laurel Park to just under $175,000. He said this is a long-term partnership, and he expects more items will be added.Also, Dorothy Carter, president of the Henry County Education Association, recognized Rebecca Bishop, media specialist at Campbell Court Elementary School, and Pamela Drews, a teacher at Rich Acres Elementary, for earning National Board Certification. It was Drews’ second 10-year National Board Certification, said Carter, who presented each woman a pin. Carter described the certification process as extremely rigorous.
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