LED lighting switch expected to save Augusta schools over $80,000: THE AGENDA
VERONA — Augusta County is considering converting all lighting in its schools to light-emitting diode technology, commonly referred to as LED lighting. The school division's executive director of operations, Greg Troxell, will present a proposal during the Feb. 1 school board meeting.
"If you want real savings, this is the way to go," Troxell told the school board at its Jan. 18 retreat when he presented an overview of the project.
The switch is estimated to save $80,000 a year for the next 12 years and then significantly more after that, according to data provided to the board at its recent retreat.
The U.S. Department of Energy calls LED the "most energy-efficient and rapidly developing lighting technology," saying the bulbs last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting. The government agency said LED uses 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.
All the high school gyms, plus Wilson Middle School's gym, have already been converted to LED lighting, Troxell told the school board that he's received a lot of positive feedback from the community about the gym lighting.
Trane Technologies, an energy services company, is proposing to do the work at $5 million financed over 12 years. Mark Lotts, Augusta County School's executive director of finance, said utility savings from the upgraded lights will cover financing costs, calling it "operationally budget neutral." Lotts said the school division will still save money from year one, with all the savings going to Augusta County Public Schools after year 12 when the work is paid off.
Augusta County has gotten references on Trane's work from multiple school districts, Lotts said.
If the school board approves the proposal, the work is expected to be done in the summer of 2024.
Trane will retrofit all existing linear fluorescent fixtures with UL Type C lighting, replace high bay fixtures with new LED high bays, install the ability to dim lights in most classrooms, replace exterior lights, including parking lots, and install new lighting in auditoriums.
Outdoor sports stadiums won't be part of the Trane project. Troxell said the school division is already working to install LED lighting on softball fields and will follow that up with LED lighting on baseball fields and then football fields. Troxell said a retrofit for a single football stadium is $300,000 so the cost to include stadiums in this project is prohibitive.
"That's one thing we can do over time," he told the school board.
Because of the current energy code, all new construction has to include LED lighting. That means the two new middle schools have LED lighting and aren't part of this contract.
"Better lighting has shown that we get better results in the classroom," Troxell said. He said studies have shown student improvement in academic achievement, attention rate, working speed, psychological processing and productivity with upgraded lighting.
Troxell is projecting 60% reduction in operational costs, and it could be more. In addition to reducing recycling costs and fixture replacement costs, Troxell said there will be reduced maintenance, allowing staff to be redeployed to other tasks. Staff currently changes 9,000 bulbs a year at $20,000 and disposes of them at a cost of $15,000.
"We spend $35,000 a year before we even flip the light switch on," Toxell said. "That will go away."
Troxell said LED lighting has gotten better and less expensive over the years, while florescent lighting has done just the opposite. He told the board the division will have to change at some point and now seems like the best time.
"This will be a very noticeable difference," Troxell said. "We're taking a lot of toxins out of our buildings."
Board of Zoning public hearings
The Augusta County Board of Zoning Appeals will hold public hearings on special use permits:
Kervin Yoder, agent for Enlisted Auctions, requested to have a screened impound area for inoperable vehicles or equipment, to increase the number of auctions, and to allow vehicles or equipment to be stored for seven days before and after an auction. This is for Shady Haven Properties, LLC, located north of the intersection of White Hill Road (Route 654) and Stuarts Draft Highway (Route 340).
Theodore G. Shuey, Jr., agent for the Stonewall Brigade Museum, requested to add an exhibit to the existing museum on property he owns, located at 566 Lee Highway in Verona.
James E. and Rachelle E. Summy requested to have an agricultural hauling business and to use a portion of the existing structure for maintenance of commercial vehicles on property they own, located at 28 Rankin Lane in Stuarts Draft.
Daniil P. and Benjamin Shumeyko requested to have a short term rental within an existing attached accessory dwelling unit in the basement on property they own at 10 Samuel Bears Road in Weyers Cave.
Jonathan M. Robbins and Maddison L. Bradley requested to be able to lease space for a contractor office with outdoor storage of licensed commercial vehicles on property they own, located at 4881 Lee Jackson Highway in Greenville.
These are the public meetings for Tuesday, Jan. 30 through Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024:
Thursday, Feb. 1
Augusta County Board of Zoning Appeals 1:30 p.m. Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane. The agenda is online.
Augusta County School Board. This meeting includes a public hearing on the budget. Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane. The agenda is online.
Monday, Feb. 5
Augusta County Community Policy Management Team 1:30 p.m. Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane.
Lewis Creek Watershed Advisory Committee 5 p.m. Staunton City Hall, 116 W. Beverley St.
Tuesday, Feb. 6
Augusta County Jail Authority 2 p.m. Augusta County Government Center, 18 Government Center Lane.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: LED lighting switch expected to save schools over $80,000: THE AGENDA
