BURTON SCHOOL BOARD LOOKS AT ENERGY SAVINGS
Saving energy was the main topic during Tuesday evenings Burton School Board meeting. Way Engineering gave a 3 year post installation report on energy savings by the district. Way was hired by the district in 2014 to update the heating, air-conditioning and lighting at the Burton schools. Each year since the installation, Burton schools have saved an average of 30 percent on their electric bill, which is higher than the projected savings. Even after the cost of the project is considered, the district has saved almost $24,000 in electricity over the three year period.
Board members also heard a proposal from Ideal Impact. Their assessment of the Burton schools showed that they could save an additional 18 to 24 percent in electricity. Ideal Impact is proposing a 5 year plan for the district costing $55,000. They guarantee that the project would save more than that amount over the 5 year term. Their plan would include replacing most of the heating and cooling controls and carefully monitoring temperature and humidity levels in the classrooms.
Enrollment in the Burton district continues to climb. Current enrollment is at 457 students. Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy said that each month the number goes up as more people move into the district. She told the trustees that they need to revisit the campus facilities plan and decide on the next move. Burton voters rejected a proposed $18 million bond issue in 2016. Board President Demetrius Colvin said if anyone doubted that the facilities needed improvements they should visit the field house. He said that it is in very poor condition with the door coming off its frame and showers that haven’t functioned in years.
In other action, the board nominated five people for the Washington County Appraisal District Board of Directors. John Schaer, Charles Gaskamp, Johanna Fatheree, and Leslie Boehnemann Jr. were re-nominated. Joe Antkowiak was nominated as a new member of the board to replace Delton Koerth who is stepping down.
So glad to hear the Way Project is exceeding the expectations of the Board in 2014. When adopted, the Board linked the Way Engineering Project to a $1 million plus Federal bond financed at below 2%. The idea was that the savings would allow the district to repay the cost of the loan, plus interest and pay the cost of the project as well. The loan was paid from the M & O Budget. This meant the board paid for the over $1 million in improvements WITHOUT a tax increase and WITHOUT a voter approved bond.
The improvements added included new a/c and heating for the all the older buildings and all the work on the auditorium at the old Burton High School. The audittium had new floors installed, a leak that had weakened the foundation for years was found and repaired, new paint and lighting, a sound system, improvements to the stage, restoring the original floor space, upgrading storage and repairing all the original stonework and drainage. The building looks beautiful. The stain glass designed by Charles Hodde by the outer doors highlights the final efforts.
This effort was an example of researching and exploring finance options, maximizing return on investment, long term planning and active participation and collaboration by Board members in response to a district wide needs survey. The survey had allowed voters and teachers and students to input their priorities for the district and to enter their reasons for their choices. The Board followed up with Town Hall meetings and Board Workshops to narrow the focus. It was decided that the Burton HS building was an icon that the people wanted to preserve. The Board empowered me to find reasonable ways to get it done. The Board participated in the whole process.
When Burton people participate and sign on to a project, it gets done. I agree with Mr. Colvin, there is unfinished projects that need to be addressed. The Board should inform the taxpayers by posting some pictures on the website. They should include pictures of the field house, the cramped dressing rooms and parking lots that flood when it rains. In addition they could post the classrooms in use each period of the day and the number of children in the room and the number each area was designed to serve. That way the taxpayers can see for themselves how well the current capacity is being utilized. The district could also provide projections of enrollment based on the average increase over the past five years. The more information the taxpayers have, the better they can judge what the needs are. In addition, the taxpayers need to be informed as to why certain areas are advantageous for certain construction or what limitations other sites might cause. Things like the infrastructure available such as parking, security, access, water/sewer, electricity and more. Then give them a needs survey. Allow them to prioritize. Mr. Colvin cannot do it by himself, but he can direct the superintendent to do so and report to the Board any progress. Put her to work!
Do any other past superintendent in the State of Texas post this type of information, or are all of them withholding valuable information from each other? Just curious, because I haven’t seen any of the past Brenham ISD superintendent do this on here either? (I use Brenham as an example because KWHI reports more on Washington County schools.) I must say, I can appreciate their professional manner and I’m sure they would discuss this type of information with Dr Jackson if they really felt that it was to the benefit of the district that they care so much about, or better yet, they would have taken care of it when they were with that district. I would bet that these true professionals would not find it necessary to publicly take credit for past accomplishments. Perhaps, some, “just move on”! I’m also curious if these type of post ever happened in Burton before our current superintendent, perhaps I missed them? I would hope that school superintendents across this state, both past and present, would work together in a professional manner to benefit the children, and communities, they serve/served. I’m glad we finally have a true professional working for the Burton district. Thanks again Dr Kennedy!
Have a great day Mark and readers 🙂