ETHS highlights student sustainability projects and explores a $12 million energy‑savings contract

Evanston Township High School on Feb. 9 showcased student-led sustainability work and a district review of a potential energy savings performance contract that could fund major facility upgrades without an immediate tax increase.

John Crawford, the district’s director of operations and sustainability, framed the presentation as a two‑year progress update tied to the ETHS Green New Deal. Two students presented specific projects. Olin described securing a $5,000 grant for a bike shelter near Door 2; materials for phases 1 and 2 have been purchased and the maintenance crew will pour concrete when weather allows, with students helping on construction through CTE programs. Izzy, a senior and Climate Action Evanston board member, described the Climate Action Accelerator and work to integrate climate curriculum across departments; she said staff and department chairs are meeting with students and administrators to form plans for fall implementation.

Crawford and student leaders also described a building‑wide waste audit conducted with the sustainability club and Etown Sunrise. The audit found the district could remove roughly 350 garbage cans across the building and divert an estimated 64,000 plastic garbage liners from landfills each school year, producing environmental and operational benefits.

Honeywell representatives explained the mechanics of an energy savings performance contract under Illinois law. John Rocco of Honeywell (partnering on the assessment) said preliminary modeling shows the district could reduce annual energy and utility spending by roughly $600,000 (about a 42% reduction in current gas and electricity spending) and use those guaranteed savings over a 20‑year contract to finance approximately a $12,000,000 project that would include solar and other upgrades. Rocco said Honeywell would conduct an investment‑grade audit to produce guaranteed construction pricing and guaranteed savings; if guaranteed annual savings fell short, Honeywell would be financially responsible for the shortfall under the contract.

Board members asked how upfront capital would be provided. Honeywell explained options: Honeywell’s financing arm could provide upfront capital paid back from savings; alternatively, the district could issue debt certificates and use savings to make debt service payments. Staff noted project timing, construction windows and how the federal tax credit and Illinois renewable energy certificates factor into the savings model.

Board discussion noted the opportunity to involve students in STEM/CTE pathways and that these projects could help meet ETHS sustainability policy goals and the City of Evanston’s healthy building ordinance. Honeywell and district staff said additional, detailed financials and contractor bids would be returned to the board after an investment‑grade audit and market pricing exercise.

The board did not vote on a contract on Feb. 9; the presentation was exploratory and staff said they would return with more exact numbers.