Schneider Electric outlines $14M districtwide upgrades, guarantees energy savings

Justin Shutt, a business development representative for Schneider Electric, presented a district‑wide facilities modernization plan the company developed with district staff, saying it could reduce utility costs and provide long‑term operational savings. "You're currently spending about $2,600,000 in utilities right now. We're looking at through the technology and equipment upgrades, shaving a close to $500,000 out of that utility and operations budget," Shutt said.

Shutt outlined scope areas including LED interior/exterior and sports lighting (company said it offers a 25‑year parts and labor warranty for sports lighting), building automation and major mechanical renovations at four schools, building‑envelope work, electrical upgrades at Luther Vaughn, and a 268 kW solar array proposed for the Institute of Innovation. He also described student engagement and curriculum components that would let students view live generation data from the solar array.

On the project's financial structure, Shutt described a special obligation bond linked to guaranteed energy savings and a 20‑year measurement and verification plan. "If you all do not achieve the savings at any given time, we cut you a check for the difference," he said, describing annual reconciliations and a stand‑alone guarantee. He advised the board the team would return with a final proposal in October to align with a pending security grant decision expected at the end of September.

Board members asked about the 18% savings figure, whether it is districtwide or per building (Shutt said it is a district average tracked meter‑by‑meter), the four schools slated for full replacement (the 'triplets' and Limestone Central), and the company's vendor‑neutral approach to equipment selection. Shutt said the project is intended to address deferred maintenance while generating savings that could be reinvested into learning environments.