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Norman Public Schools wins Energy Star recognition for 14 buildings
Summary
Norman Public Schools officials said 14 district buildings received EPA Energy Star certification after recent efficiency work; district staff credited HVAC monitoring, energy setbacks and maintenance response and said decals will be installed later this summer.
Fourteen Norman Public Schools buildings received Energy Star certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, district staff announced at the board meeting.
The district’s energy specialist, Sarah Chan, told the board the recognition reflects recent work to increase participation in energy setbacks, expand awareness about consumption, enhance HVAC monitoring and accelerate maintenance responses. "Fourteen sites are receiving national recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency and receiving Energy Star certification," Chan said.
The Energy Star label identifies buildings in the top 25% for energy efficiency compared with peer buildings of similar original construction year, Chan said. At the meeting, administrators listed the 14 recognized sites by original-construction year and the staff members accepting certificates: Eisenhower (1973); Kennedy (1975); Lincoln (1923); Madison (1960); Reagan (2013); Roosevelt (1994); Truman Elementary (1990); Truman Primary (2010); Washington (1989); Wilson (1930); Alcott Middle School (1970); Irving Middle School (1974); Dimensions Academy (2006); and the district Administrative Services Center (original construction cited as 1894). Chan said certificates were handed out at the meeting; window decals indicating certification are expected to arrive in August and will be placed at each site’s main entrance.
District staff also credited Synergistics, a consulting partner represented at the meeting, for supporting the certification process. Justin (no last name provided at the meeting) and other site representatives accepted certificates on behalf of their schools.
District officials noted Dimensions Academy won several internal district energy-competition awards this year, including energy setback and EUI (energy use intensity) competitions. Chan said the district submitted 25 buildings for consideration and 14 have been recognized so far; she added the remaining submitted buildings are expected to be considered in future cycles.
The presentation to the board did not include a vote; the certificates were presented as part of an administrative recognition item. The Energy Star program is a national benchmark and does not, by itself, change school operations beyond the existing conservation measures described by staff.
A district staff member said the energy program began about a year and a half ago and staff described the result as “an amazing accomplishment in just the year and a half of our energy program.”
Board members and school-site representatives posed for photographs with students and staff receiving certificates and support materials.
