Members of the Brandywine Board of Education received an update on the district’s Energy Conservation and Recycling Program at a workshop meeting Monday evening, in preparation for eventual changes and improvements in the next few years.
District Superintendent Dr. James R. Scanlon said a lot of good work has been accomplished since energy policies were established in 2006.
“It’s good to see where we are at this point,” Scanlon said. “Our construction projects are involved; we have a lot of energy savings involved in those. And we have good statistics, including about a quarter million dollars in energy avoidance costs just last year, so that’s a big number, and we’re happy about that.”
Scanlon emphasized that energy costs are on the rise for everyone.
“The district is looking to save wherever possible. Everyone’s got to do it, and that’s also a reason why we’re closing some schools, to save on all the energy costs of those buildings,” he said.
Energy Management Specialist Gwen Looby explained several energy conservation projects that were recently implemented in the Brandywine District including tracking utility costs, canceling unused or unneeded accounts, and purchasing electricity from a third-party supplier.
Looby also discussed improved building operations including heating and air conditioning settings to comply with Governor Minner’s Executive Order on energy conservation. She mentioned the district’s science programs for students addressing green issues, and she also outlined the recycling program for paper and corrugated cardboard in the classrooms, libraries, offices and school kitchens.
“It’s absolutely necessary for children to learn about recycling and the environment now,” Looby said.
“We hope to get the students started in kindergarten so they will take those habits with them through high school and after they leave us they’ll have those good habits with recycling as adults.”
During the workshop, board members also discussed the district’s Facility Use Policy. Scanlon said there is a need to balance a desire to allow the community to use Brandywine’s facilities, while considering an obligation to tax payers.
Currently, the fees for facility uses don’t cover all of the costs, he said.
“We don’t want to shut out the community, and we don’t want to create a hardship for activities that mesh with educational opportunities. But we don’t want to lose money on this.”
Scanlon said that suggestions for improvements and modifications to the current facility use policy will be forwarded to the district’s policy review committee for evaluation in December and January.
