Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fund 177 Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Capital projects fund rises; district plans LED upgrades and taps TVA credits to lower energy costs
Summary
Rutherford County Schools showed Fund 177 at about $19.34 million and proposed adding roughly $350,000 to continue a district‑wide LED lighting program; staff said participation in a TVA credits program will reduce electricity costs and helped lower district electric spending by about $400,000 this year.
Rutherford County Schools staff presented the proposed FY2026 capital projects fund (Fund 177) showing a bottom‑line figure of about $19,344,516 and recommended allocating roughly $350,000 of the fund toward LED lighting upgrades across district buildings.
The fund covers capital priorities such as HVAC, roofing, bleachers and ADA work. Dr. Sullivan told the board the $350,000 recommendation would be used “to put it towards LED lighting in the building,” and staff will publish the project list for board review at next meetings.
Staff also described a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) program that provides electric bill credits for participating sites. Dr. Sullivan said the district’s use of the TVA program and lighting work contributed to a lower electricity bill this year: “we have decreased even though we're opening a school this year ... we lowered our electricity payments, by $400,000 for the year utilizing some of those savings.” He said the TVA credits will continue to be applied as remaining athletic fields and other sites are converted to LED.
Board members asked for a short written report showing which schools are in the TVA program and the expected timeline for installations; staff agreed to produce a one‑sheet status report rather than make a front‑of‑room presentation. The district said remaining field installations will be finished by the start of the next school year.
Ending: staff noted the final project list for Fund 177 will be provided next week and that the county commission can reallocate capital funds at the commission floor, so board advocacy may be required to preserve the proposed project set.
