Conserving energy at the schoolhouse
Frank Bradley Sentinel writer

In many ways, it was a nobrainer although sometimes a jumping on a deal you can't afford to pass up can come back to haunt you.

Last Thursday, the Cherokee County School Board agreed to enter into a contract with Energy Education, Inc. that promises to save the school system $79,180 the first year and anywhere from $110,000 to almost $500,000 a year in subsequent years.

Cherokee County schools will be paying the company $103,000 a year for four years; however Energy Education agrees to write a check to the school system if in any one year, the school system doesn't save more than the cost of the program.

Some other terms of the contract include hiring a full-time energy education/manager, a position the board of education has already budgeted for during the up coming school year.

During the ensuing discussion, board member Winfield Clontz asked, "How can we be completely sure this (program) will be a savings? He was told that the savings would come about by the reduction of energy consumption. The company has programs in more than 900 school districts in 48 states and over the course of 20 years has only had to write seven checks to school, according to its representative.

Another question by the board was "Will we maintain the same comfort level?" That was answered in the affirmative. The energy savings would come during the times before and after school activities take place. Cherokee County Schools is to hire the energy manger. It was recommended that the manager be either a part-time school employee of a former employee, who would be trained by the company. The manager should be someone with good people skills and a good motivator, the board was told. Theprogram was highly recommended by school superintendent Dr. Stephen Lane, who said he had seen its effective implementation in other school systems. The program was approved by the board, pending review by the board's attorney.