Properties committee approves $5.29 million lighting and controls project aimed at guaranteed energy savings

The East Stroudsburg Area School District properties and facilities committee voted to approve a vendor proposal for districtwide lighting and building automation upgrades, authorizing a fixed‑price contract listed in the meeting materials at $5,294,945.

The project, presented by the vendor representatives introduced to the board as Andrew and Keith from Train, was described as a guaranteed‑savings program focused on LED lighting upgrades and an overhaul of building automation systems (controls). "The project we're offering is a guaranteed savings program for the district with two primary goals: to save costs for the district — utility costs and operational savings — and to assure reliable mechanical electrical systems for years to come," the presenter said.

Why it matters: the vendor and district staff said the work is intended to reduce consumption and demand charges, improve equipment reliability and produce net cash flow that can be reinvested in the district's capital fund. The vendor presented exhibits showing multi‑year kWh and demand reductions and said measurement and verification would be performed to support the guaranteed savings.

What was approved: the board approved the fixed‑price phase‑1 scope (lighting and controls) as presented. The vendor discussed optional add‑ons: an aesthetic "door kit" to provide a finished fixture appearance (the vendor emphasized the door kits do not add energy savings) and an optional AI analytics service (referred to in meeting materials as Train BrainBox AI) that the vendor said could yield additional operational savings if adopted later.

Financing and savings: board members discussed funding options and tradeoffs. Administrators said the district intends to use capital funds for the first phase rather than financing, a choice the board members said would increase near‑term realized cash flow because it reduces interest costs. The presenter summarized the expected net annual cash flow from the combined phases as $2.6 million under the assumptions provided in the exhibits; the board discussed this figure and the timing of realized savings when capital is used up front.

Performance terms and oversight: the vendor said lighting equipment would carry 10‑year warranties and proposed three years of active measurement and verification tied to the guarantee, noting state guaranteed‑savings program reporting requirements in the packet. The vendor pointed board members to exhibits that break out estimated lighting kWh savings (reported in the packet as roughly 1.2 million kWh for lighting and 2.3 million kWh for controls/schedule savings in a sample table) and to demand (kW) reductions that affect billing.

Board questions and next steps: board members asked about the ability to stage work "a la carte," the number of fixtures to be replaced (the vendor said the full exhibit contains quantities and that roughly 30% of district fixtures are already replaced, with the vendor estimating the remaining 70% would be upgraded), and whether set points and occupancy schedules would affect comfort. The presenter said analytics and controls will be used to implement "optimal start/stop" and to balance comfort with savings. The board approved the item by voice vote; the transcript records the motion, second and a voice vote of "aye," but does not list individual roll‑call tallies.

The committee's approval sends the project forward for final contracting steps and implementation planning; the packet materials include exhibits and a draft payment schedule that the vendor said would be adjusted if the board changes scope (for example, removing door kits or the AI add‑on).