Committee reviews LED retrofit at four schools with $429,000 estimated utility rebate

The committee reviewed a capital project proposal to install LED lighting at four elementary schools, with a not-to-exceed project cost reported in the meeting and an estimated utility rebate that substantially reduces the districts net outlay.

"This agreement is with Resource Lighting. It's an LED upgrade at Beecher, Kansi Hills, Kansi West Hills, and Davis Street Schools, not to exceed $942,000, $609. The rebate on this is 429,000," said project presenter Mister Pagan.

Committee members asked whether the rebate is paid up front or after project completion and how certain the estimate is. Pagan said the rebate estimate is based on a pre-submittal calculation and that the district must file paperwork; the rebate would be received in the fiscal year after the paperwork is submitted. Staff noted that some utility-program arrangements allow direct payment to the contractor or on-bill financing, which could further reduce up-front cash requirements.

Board members also asked how the four schools were selected; staff said they prioritized schools with the most need and largest expected energy savings. A committee member requested an aggregate summary showing how many schools have already received retrofits and the energy/kilowatt-hour savings so the board can see cumulative progress.

Discussion only: staff to file rebate paperwork, confirm rebate timing and return with energy-savings data and program history. The committee recommended forwarding the project agreement to the full board as part of the larger package.