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Board agrees to consider free energy survey of district HVAC systems from outside engineers
Summary
Maintenance staff described a proposal from an engineering firm (Ben Buckner) to perform a free, district‑wide energy assessment of HVAC systems; the board asked for a presentation next month and staff said the assessment would cover every school and take about two months
White County maintenance staff briefed the board on a proposal from an engineering firm to perform a district‑wide energy assessment and recommended the board invite the consultant to present.
Maintenance staff member Mr. Alley described the firm’s approach. He said consultant Ben Buckner specializes in two‑pipe hydronic systems and proposed converting older two‑pipe systems to allow simultaneous heating and cooling in different rooms. Alley said the firm’s onsite assessment is “free, by the way. They don't charge us for this,” and that the last comprehensive assessment was about 10 years ago.
Alley said the firm provides a full energy survey that inventories every unit in each school and produces a report identifying recommended replacements and projected energy savings; he relayed the consultant’s claim that guaranteed energy savings could be used to fund improvements. Alley summarized the firm’s assurances: no change orders after a firm price is set, a roughly two‑month assessment timeline and assistance pursuing grants to fund upgrades.
Board members asked procedural and procurement questions, including whether design and professional services would require later competitive bid steps; a board member noted that if the district proceeded to construction it would need to follow applicable competitive procurement rules. The board agreed to schedule a presentation: Alley and district staff will invite Buckner to present next month, then the administration will integrate the assessment results into a November “State of the District” maintenance update.
No formal contract was approved at the Sept. 11 meeting; the board’s action was limited to authorizing staff to obtain the assessment and a consultant presentation.
