Flipping the light switch off when not in the room could profit Richmond County schools.
Under a proposed incentive plan, schools would earn money for their conservation efforts. If a school cuts back on its utilities, 10 percent of the school system's savings would be given to the school.
The school system spends $6 million on utilities, Senior Director of Facilities Services Benton Starks told school board members Wednesday.
"A percentage of that isn't profiting anyone," he said. "We have a certain amount of waste to it. We have an ambitious program that we are working with our staff and others put together to recoup some of that money."
He hopes to save 10 percent -- $600,000 -- of the energy budget by getting schools to cut costs.
The 10 percent is a conservative target for the first year of the incentive program, which some predict could save as much as 30 percent -- $1.8 million, Mr. Starks said.
Schools that save electricity, gas and water will receive 10 percent of those savings to be spent on instructional supplies, such as computers, as the school sees fit.
"Needless to say, our marching order was to streamline the school system and to make it as efficient as possible," Mr. Starks said, noting that Superintendent Dana Bedden directed thermostats to be set at 78 degrees this summer. "We've already started to see how that benefits us."
In one month, the Academy of Richmond County, for example, saved $1,500, he said.
The savings came despite increases in utility costs per unit.
Other schools saw similar savings, Mr. Starks said, attributing it to adjusting the thermostat a few degrees.
"This is just a small piece of a big pie that we can tap into," he said.
Dr. Bedden said some employees have complained about the temperature changes, but the financial incentive will allow them to feel better about "sharing the pain."
Buy-in programs, such as this, have proven successful in private industry, and he hopes for the same success for the school system, which has had to tighten its financial belts in recent years.
The building committee of the school board approved the incentive program on Wednesday. The issue now heads to the full board, which will meet at 6 p.m. today.
Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
School board committees also:
- Approved expanding A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School so that it will house seventh grade and eighth grade next school year.
- Approved spending $90,000 of sales tax revenue to purchase computers and other technology for A.R. Johnson.
The recommendations of the committees must be approved by the full board.
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