C’view hears more info on light project

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education heard more information on a proposed LED lighting project, while also approving the purchase of a mini-bus in an otherwise uneventful meeting on Monday.

Ray Robinson of Energy Optimizers, USA was at the meeting to provide more information on a proposed project to replace current lighting at the school with LED lights and fixtures.

Robinson noted that his company would replace building lighting with LED lights, as well as sensors that would allow lights to be turned off when classrooms and other areas of the school are unoccupied.

The company will also make sure current HVAC equipment is operating efficiently and could install electric use meters at an additional cost of $12,000.

In addition to replacing regular lights with LED bulbs, Energy Optimizers would de-lamp fluorescent fixtures and install LED tubes.

If the district decides to pursue the lighting project under a program created by House Bill 264, the district could borrow the money needed to pay for the project and pay the cost back over 15 years using energy and maintenance savings. Robinson also included another option in his presentation on Monday, noting that Crestview could contract with Energy Optimizers for an energy service agreement. The benefit of the service agreement, he noted, was to eliminate the need for upfront expenses.

One big advantage for using the HB 264 program, Robinson said, was that his company would have to guarantee any energy savings estimates it provided. Under the program, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission would also review project costs and savings figures to make sure savings estimates were accurate and project costs are reasonable.

Robinson said the project would earn more than $40,000 in energy rebates, while saving the district an estimated $41,044 a year in electricity costs and $8,300 annually in maintenance costs. Annual payback cost was estimated at $37,223 if money was borrowed at an interest rate of 3.25 percent, although Crestview Superintendent Mike Estes had indicated during the first presentation in July that the district may look at paying project costs upfront without borrowing.

Board member Wes Skelton, who was not at the first meeting Robinson attended, was a bit skeptical of the company’s energy savings estimates, even though Robinson noted that, as long as usage remains the same and weather changes don’t affect power output.

The board will take the project under advisement prior to deciding whether to proceed.

Also Monday, the board approved the purchase of a mini-bus from Cardinal Bus Sales at a cost of $40,424, with trade-in and discounts. Estes also provided the board with a mileage report on the district’s current bus fleet.

The board also approved three overnight trips in excess of 100 miles: the FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 19-22, with teacher Ericka Priest; the eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C., from May 7-12, 2017, with teacher James Lautzenheiser; and the seventh grade trip to Columbus May 9, 2017, with teacher Jason Cross.

The board also went into executive session to discuss personnel items, with no action taken after the session.

The next meeting of the Crestview Local Board of Education will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, October 20, in the district boardroom.