MHS considers switch to LED

New lighting could significantly reduce expenses

Bonnie Morris
Posted 11/23/17

MENDOTA – A recent energy audit at Mendota High School showed that by changing the school’s lighting to LED, the district could see a 68 percent reduction in cost.

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MHS considers switch to LED

New lighting could significantly reduce expenses

Posted

MENDOTA – A recent energy audit at Mendota High School showed that by changing the school’s lighting to LED, the district could see a 68 percent reduction in cost.

Reporting at the Nov. 16 board of education meeting, board members Jim Sundberg and Jim Lauer, and Superintendent Jeff Prusator, discussed the findings of an energy audit. The audit was presented during a Building Committee meeting on Nov. 9 by Randy Griffin of Verde Solutions, LLC. Sundberg said not only was 68 percent given as a “conservative” estimate by Griffin, but the company would be willing to give a written guarantee on the savings. “It was quite eye opening,” Sundberg commented.

Two proposals were given by Griffin. Prusator said in the less expensive one, the monthly energy savings are estimated at $1,951. The initial cost to the high school would be $119,064 to have the LED lighting system installed. “There is a significant up-front cost but it would be paid back in under four years which is a pretty good return,” he said, noting that the most significant savings would be the parking lot lights because they are on every night.

The second proposal, which would include all new fixtures and lights, the initial cost would be $184,860 and estimated monthly energy savings $1,903. Return on investment would be nearly five years. In classrooms with windows, the lights would have sensors that would adjust according to the outside lighting.

The company is now working on another proposal that will add heating and cooling and some alternative energy sources such as solar and wind. Prusator said that is not necessarily something the board is considering but the company wanted to present additional options. Once the proposal is ready, Griffin will bring a presentation to the whole board.

Prusator suggested one way the district could pay for the new lighting would be with the monthly “1-cent sales tax” checks they are now receiving from Lee County. The first check was for $1,400 and over the next several months, he will have an idea of the average amount they will receive. Because that money is restricted to capital improvements, Prusator said this project would be a good use of the money. Other possible funding could come from TIF money or a bond issue.

AUDIT REPORT

The board approved the fiscal year 2017 audit report, which was presented by Russ Rumbold of Gorenz & Associates. Total assets held by MHS including buildings, contents, busses, land and cash on hand amounts to $39,503,133, a decrease of $60,548 from 2016.

Net equity (less fixed assets) in the operating funds went down by $177,671 in 2017 to $6,624,021. Unencumbered equity in the operating funds (less unpaid teachers’ contracts and funds reserved for special purposes) is $4,964,801, a decrease of $317,614 from 2016.

Rumbold commended the board for staying within plus or minus 10 percent of what was budgeted compared to actual expenses. “If you amend the budget, you can make your numbers come out pretty close. If you don’t, that’s the budget you adopted and these are the numbers you ended up with,” he said.

The Financial Profile Score, which is established by the state, remained at 3.55 for 2017, qualifying MHS for the lower end of Financial Recognition. Rumbold gave the primary reason for the score not being higher as the expense to revenue ratio and debt. “On the positive side, you have good fund balances,” he said. “On the negative, you are deficit spending.”

Prusator pointed out that people now feel relaxed because there is a state budget, but schools still face a great deal of uncertainty. “We won’t get any more state aid than we got last year,” he noted. “As for transportation, the first payment was vouchered on Sept. 28, so we don’t have the money yet and the next one will be vouchered in December. We probably won’t get that.”

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

After meeting with several Lee County officials, Prusator said both Mendota school districts learned they will have to wait until next year to receive their tax money. “The state’s attorney made it real clear that per statute, there is no way they can make that money up this fiscal year,” he told the board. “They apologized for the error and agreed to pay us interest so we expect to get the $202,000 plus $3,000 to $4,000 of lost interest.”

Additionally, Lee County will include a letter in next year’s tax bills stating that it was a mistake of Lee County, not Mendota schools. “When people look at their tax bill and see a 75-cent jump for Mendota High School, do not call Mendota High School, call Lee County with any questions,” Prusator said. “We hope that’s what people do.”

During a presentation of the tentative levy, Prusator said he expects the taxable EAV to go up almost 3 percent. If numbers hold up, he said the levy will be 2.77, which is about $27,000 less than last year. For a $100,000 house, that would be a savings of $38; a $150,000 house would save $58; and a $200,000 house would save $77 on their tax bill. Prusator noted that this is one of the largest reductions they have seen in quite some time. Additionally, he expects it to go down even more next year because the building bonds will be paid off.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Exam exemptions will again be offered to MHS students. Principal Denise Aughenbaugh said this has been successful in the past as a motivator for students to pass classes and work on SAT test prep. Freshmen and sophomores will be able to earn one exam exemption in December if they are passing all of their classes. Juniors may earn two exam exemptions in December if they are passing all their classes and complete one SAT practice test through Khan Academy. Seniors have the opportunity to earn up to three exam exemptions in December if they are passing all their classes and earned a “meets or exceeds” college readiness benchmark score on their junior SAT in English, reading, writing and math.

Aughenbaugh outlined some of the positive points on the School Report Card issued by the state. She said MHS is very proud to have a four-year graduation rate of 94 percent (state average is 87 percent). In addition, students who are ready for college coursework is 66 percent (state average is 51 percent); graduates who go on to postsecondary schools, 63 percent; average student attendance, 95 percent; average chronic truancy rate, 2 percent; average student mobility rate, 5 percent; and the teacher retention rate, 96 percent (state average is 86 percent).

PERSONNEL

The board accepted the resignation of Brock Sondgeroth as head football coach, effective at the end of this year’s football season.

They accepted with regret the resignation of Janet Nagel, effective Dec. 22. Aughenbaugh said Nagel is a paraprofessional, who works primarily with math students in regular and special education classes, and is assistant girls track coach. “She does an amazing job in the classroom,” Aughenbaugh said. “We are really going to miss her.”

Although Nagel can no longer work every day in her current position, the board approved her as a part time math tutor, beginning next semester.

The next regular board of education meeting will be held at the high school on Monday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.