One of the district's largest expenses after payroll is utility costs. Our yearly electrical expenses are approximately 4 million dollars. Working together to conserve energy usage is one of the most effective things we can do to reduce expenses. In our recent budget reductions for 2013-2014, we committed to reduce our electrical costs by 5%, which will equate to $200,000 in savings.
To conserve energy costs, the district has implemented new guidelines regarding the heating and cooling of all district buildings. We will begin cooling (or heating) buildings approximately one hour prior to the start of school in order to have classrooms at the district set point of 73-75 degrees in cooling (68-70 degrees in heating) by the time students enter classrooms and begin working. Areas where students gather prior to school starting, such as, gyms and cafeterias, will be at the district set point sooner to accommodate early arrival.