The most pressing topic of the meeting was the presentation of the district’s energy report, highlighting fiscal year 2025’s energy usage and costs. The report, shared by Mr. Durban, revealed a budget allocation of just over a million dollars, while actual expenditures were lower at $857,846. Despite a slight increase in natural gas costs, utility expenses remained generally stable. The report underscored the district’s energy conservation efforts, particularly through the installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems and solar panels.

The solar energy program emerged as a key focus, with the district benefiting from grant funding to implement the system without incurring startup costs. The solar panels, maintained by Ideal Energies under a 20-year contract, have the potential for significant long-term savings, anticipated to reach about $5,000 annually per site. A question was raised about the reimbursement process for generated electricity, which clarified that the district would benefit from savings on electricity generation costs.

Beyond financial savings, the solar program carries an educational component, integrating energy generation data into the classroom. New screens installed at various sites allow students to access real-time information on energy production, particularly enhancing the fourth-grade curriculum on solar energy. This initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding of renewable energy among students.

Attention also turned to recent upgrades in the district’s HVAC systems, particularly at Southwest Middle School, where outdated boilers were replaced with modern, high-efficiency condensing modulating boilers. These new systems, operating at efficiencies between 96% and 98%, promise a substantial reduction in heat loss compared to the older models. Similar improvements were reported at Lake View.

The board deliberated on the efficiency of operational practices, such as the optimal temperature setbacks for heating and cooling. The district has adjusted the temperature setback from 12 to 15 degrees to a more moderate 4 to 6 degrees, based on recommendations from a commissioning agent working under Long-Term Facility Maintenance funds. This adjustment aims to enhance energy efficiency, though differing opinions on the practice were acknowledged.

The effectiveness of the custodial and maintenance teams was highlighted, with board members expressing appreciation for their prompt responses to issues like leaky faucets and running toilets. The custodial team’s vigilance in detecting and addressing problems underscores their important role in the district’s energy conservation efforts.

Shifting to strategic planning, the meeting delved into the alignment of the district’s strategic directions with its core values. Students provided feedback on the strategic language used, questioning its goal-oriented nature. They expressed a desire for strategic directions to be more measurable and aligned with their educational experiences. The dialogue highlighted a perceived disconnect between strategic goals and students’ lived experiences, with students identifying a need for more visible enactment of core values in daily school life.

The board also discussed a new task force initiative aimed at addressing student enrollment trends, facility utilization, and academic programming. The task force, comprising city officials, community members, principals, staff, parents, and students, is set to hold several meetings, with a focus on community engagement and transparency. The board considered options for board member participation in these meetings, ultimately favoring a setup that allows for community input without formal decision-making constraints.