The Mid-Del Board of Education on Dec. 9 voted unanimously to approve an amendment to its energy-management agreement with Synergistic, following a presentation from the company that said the district had captured more than $306,000 in savings through August.

The district and Synergistic presented a year-one review of the program, highlighting a 12–13% reduction in the district’s energy-use intensity (EUI) and other operational savings. Kevin Edwards, Synergistic client manager, told the board the program’s savings were driven largely by staff conservation behaviors, optimized schedules around breaks and targeted mechanical-system tuning.

Why this matters: Board members and Synergistic said the savings free funds for other district priorities and position buildings to qualify for Energy Star recognition. The board’s approval also adjusts the contract pricing for the next four years, a change Synergistic said reflects lower-than-expected utility rates and access to better interval data for monitoring.

Synergistic officials described several technical and programmatic results. Edwards said, “Through August 2024, the program has saved over $306,000,” and showed year‑over‑year usage trends that declined after the program began. The district’s corporate representative for Synergistic, Lynn Pace, told the board the district spent “somewhere around $400,000 less on utilities in the first year of the program than they did in the previous year.”

The presentation covered measurement methods: savings are calculated by comparing current consumption to a base year and accounting for capital projects such as LED upgrades so the program measures behavioral and operational changes rather than capital investments. Edwards and Pace said the district’s EUI decline also improves eligibility for Energy Star building recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Synergistic asked for and received board approval to modify the contract price structure. Lynn Pace said the vendor would reprice the program and expects to reduce the district’s monthly payment by about $6,000 per month over the next four years based on the first-year results. Pace also said access to interval electricity data — 15-minute usage data from the utility, which Synergistic said costs roughly $800–$1,000 per month — had been a constraint during year one; Synergistic signaled it will pay to obtain that feed to accelerate technical work.

Board discussion touched on durability of savings and human comfort. Board members asked about weather adjustments, the risk that gains can erode without regular attention, and the balance between aggressive setbacks and occupant comfort. Edwards said the program includes calibrations for severe weather events and ongoing coaching for staff and maintenance teams to sustain savings. A Synergistic corporate speaker added that continued attention — “eternal vigilance,” in his words — is required to maintain and build on gains.

Formal action: The board voted to approve the contract amendment. The motion was moved and seconded; roll-call votes were recorded as aye by Doctor Kirk, Miss Standridge, Mister Porter, Miss Schultz and the board chair (President Daniel).

What’s next: Synergistic and district staff will continue monitoring EUI by school, pursue Energy Star certification steps, deploy interval data for faster diagnostics, and maintain the staff-coaching effort the parties credited for much of the first-year improvement.

Ending note: Synergistic and district leaders framed the first-year results as an initial success with more potential if behavioral and technical practices remain consistent and if the district and vendor continue to refine data access and system tuning.