Cape Girardeau board authorizes up to $1M lighting upgrade with Navitas LLC, cites $130,000-a-year savings
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Summary
The Cape Girardeau Public Schools Board authorized the superintendent to contract with Navitas LLC for a districtwide lighting upgrade not to exceed $1,000,000, with presenters saying the project should yield 'north of $130,000' in annual utility savings and include guaranteed rebate capture.
The Cape Girardeau Public Schools Board on its February meeting authorized the superintendent to enter into a contract with Navitas LLC to upgrade district lighting for a total not to exceed $1,000,000. The motion carried by voice vote.
Board member and presenter (S11) described the project as a long-identified component of the district's long-range facility plan and said test classrooms showed improved functionality. "Once our lighting project is completed, we're gonna see annually, north of $130,000," the presenter said, adding that those savings could be reinvested in other district priorities. "Dollars 130,000 can employ 2 teachers a year," the presenter added.
The presenter explained the planned approach is to retrofit existing 30-year fixtures by replacing internal components and adding a door kit rather than fully replacing outer shells, a method they said is more economical and sustainable. The proposal includes multi-mode switches for common spaces and classrooms to improve instructional flexibility (for example, front-bank switches to allow front-stage lighting while keeping the rest of a classroom lit) and gym/stage-specific modes.
Officials noted the district expects to pursue available rebates and grants and described a guaranteed-savings clause: if measured savings fall short of projections by a material margin, the district can capture compensation from the vendor through a service contract. The presenter said the district has modeled a conservative annual utility reduction and that any realized rebates would further improve the return on investment.
No public opposition or alternate proposals were recorded in the transcript during the motion discussion. The board approved the authorization and directed the superintendent to proceed under the contract terms described.
The authorization allows the administration to finalize contract terms; next steps cited in the meeting are contract execution and project scheduling, contingent on vendor negotiations and any applicable rebate timelines.
