Uvalde CISD hears $4 million Schneider Electric plan to cut energy costs; board to consider construction May 19

Schneider Electric told the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees on May 5 that a district-wide project centered on upgraded building automation systems and LED lighting could cut energy use about 17% and generate nearly $200,000 in estimated annual utility savings.

The recommendation, presented by Aaron Garcia of Schneider Electric and Ryan Wonder, the company’s project development manager and engineer, would pair new building automation controls with a comprehensive LED lighting retrofit in most district buildings. Schneider estimated total project costs at about $4,000,000 and said the savings could be sufficient to service financing for the work.

The plan matters because district facilities contain control systems the presenters described as “20 years and older” and increasingly difficult to maintain. “The building automation system is a top priority because the air conditioning equipment in the buildings is the number one consumer of energy,” Ryan Wonder said, adding that modern controls prevent HVAC and lighting from running when buildings are unoccupied.

Schneider’s audit, which the company called an investment-grade audit, recommends a first-phase project focused on controls and LED lighting. The company estimated the combined scope would produce about $199,500 in annual savings, roughly a 17% reduction in energy costs, and projected about $4 million in lifecycle savings over 20 years. Schneider estimates the lighting portion slightly exceeds $2 million and controls slightly under $2 million. The company also said it expects about $30,000 in utility rebates from AEP for the lighting work.

Board members and staff asked detailed operational and budget questions. Trustees pressed Schneider on whether maintenance and operations savings were included; Ryan Wonder said they were, and that reduced maintenance — for example, eliminating frequent ballast and fluorescent-tube replacement — was an important part of the financial case. Aaron Garcia said the company would guarantee performance, adding, “We guarantee 90% of the projected savings,” and described annual measurement-and-verification based on metered kilowatt‑hours.

Trustees also asked why the company proposed controls and lighting first rather than a larger mechanical (HVAC) replacement. Schneider said mechanical and electrical replacements have higher costs and lower short‑term paybacks; by contrast, LED lighting and modern controls provide higher immediate savings and can make the overall package “self‑funding” — meaning the energy savings would cover the debt service on financing. The presenters noted future phases could include HVAC, electrical infrastructure and building‑envelope work.

On risk and warranties, Schneider said the standard warranty for most work is one year, with lighting materials carrying at least a five‑year warranty and many LED products carrying ten‑year material warranties. The company also said construction could start in June (pending approvals) and complete in about a year, around May 2026, and that a third‑party engineer is reviewing the guaranteed savings; Schneider expects that review to be complete by the board’s May 19 meeting.

Financing options discussed included using a maintenance tax note or waiting for a bond sale (which the presenters said could not take place until November). Schneider said lenders are typically more willing to lend when guaranteed savings are included and that the company assumes responsibility for shortfalls: if actual savings fall below the guaranteed amount, Schneider said it would pay the difference subject to terms in the contract. The presenters also said the project would be turnkey (design, equipment, labor, project management) and that the savings‑guarantee and measurement-and-verification costs are included in the financial projections.

Board and staff members raised broader budget concerns. Trustees and staff described limited capital reserves, an adopted deficit in the current year and the district’s history of running thin fund balances, and they discussed the need for multi‑year capital asset planning to avoid recurring emergency repairs. Several trustees urged a prioritized replacement schedule for aging systems and asked for a clearer breakout between lighting and controls costs ahead of the May 19 presentation.

No action was taken at the meeting. The board was told Schneider plans to return at the May 19 meeting with finalized numbers, the third‑party engineer’s review, and a draft contract and financing plan for formal consideration.