TV directors ponder energy feasibility study
Published: January 19, 2012
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HEGINS - According to a presentation by the McClure Company, Tri-Valley School District is losing money when it comes to heating and cooling costs of its buildings.
Shane Homan, PE, CEM of McClure Company gave a presentation based on studies the company has been doing since mid-July to show the district how inefficient the heating and cooling and electrical systems are at the various buildings in the district.
McClure Company is owned by PPL and works to show school districts how they can save on their energy costs by changing light bulbs, changing boilers and equipment that works more efficiently and saves the district thousands of dollars.
"We are owned by PPL and we strive to find ways to lessen your electrical consumption, thus lessening our own load so we can meet the requirements placed on us by the federal government," said Homan.
According to Homan all buildings at Tri-Valley are operating inefficiently, with Mahantongo Elementary being the worst. Homan says Mahantongo Elementary is currently using double the fuel oil it would have to.
He said the company would come in and survey the district's needs and report back to the board. According to Homan, it would be similiar to the feasibility study the district just entered, but this one would be on the energy use. He said there would be no cost to the district until a contract would be signed after their findings. He claims the energy savings would pay for the upgrades over time.
"One thing the high school definitely needs is an automation system to control the entire system," said Homan. "There is no reason to have certain rooms cooled or heated at all times. None of this is maintenance issues," noted Homan. "It comes down to control technology and design being obsolete."
Homan said it may be feasible to install geothermal at Hegins-Hubley and the high school or other options such as biomass heating systems, where the district would grow its own crop to use as a heating source. He said that would take three to four years to grow until usable. Homan said there are grants available for both geothermal and biomass.
Homan said the next step would be to proceed with an engineering study, complete and investment grade audit which is the same method the district went through to hire an architect firm for the current feasibility study, and select an energy service company that will make a final recommendation to the board based on detailed studies based on costs and savings and present the findings to the board.
"I spoke to someone from Tamaqua School District and they claim their savings came back $245,000 over the estimate and they did very, very well," said School Board Director Marylou Kline.
Homan said the company also did work for Halifax and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts.
The board decided to table the issue and plans to consider and discuss and bring up for a vote at the next meeting. Board President Dan Wagner said he wanted the board members to have a chance to think about it and look into it more.
In other business, the board will be adopting some new policy changes at its February meeting. Policies to be updated include: No. 113 - Special Education; No. 113.1 - Discipline of students with disabilities; No. 113.2 - Behavior Support; No. 113.3 - Screening and Evaluations for Students with Disabilities; No. 113.4 - Confidentiality of Special Education Student Information; No. 200 - Enrollment of students; No. 201 - Admission of Students; and No. 907 - School Visitors.
Business Manager Pat Bowman reported to the board that EI Associates were scheduled to begin evaluations of the buildings on January 16 and planned to report back to the district on January 27th.
Allison Mowery was added tot he elementary/special education substitute teacher listing.
The district reminds residents that due to the closing of school on September 8, the District will be utilizing the weather emergency make-up days scheduled on Wednesday, April 11, and Thursday, April 12. School will be in session on those days. In the event of additional closures, remaining make-up days will be used, and if needed, the school year will be extended for the required number of days in June.
Report cards for the second nine-weeks will be distributed January 27.
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