By Wil Crews
sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
The Lee County School Board met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday and listened to a pitch from Schneider Electric, a financial technology company, regarding an energy savings project that could be applied to Lee County.
“We have spent our entire career in Alabama helping school systems become more efficient with their resources, modernizing their facilities and being fiscally responsible,” said Schneider Electric employee Todd Smith.
Smith continued by stating that Schneider Electric can help address common district limitations on things such as time, money and expertise.
By working with Schneider Electric, Smith said the company would assist the school system in: design and engineering, public affairs and outreach, support service, financial services and construction management, along with providing a guarantee of performance.
Smith then presented a comprehensive solution that would address a number of Lee County Schools’ problems specifically. The report stated that the district needed: critical HVAC redesign to eliminate aging systems, HVAC replacements across the district, water efficiency improvements, district-wide interior and exterior LED lighting replacements, district-wide building automation improvements, building, window and envelope sealing, STEAM program student engagement and roofing refurbishments.
In total, Schneider’s Electric’s estimate predicted that, by using their company as a third party, Lee County Schools could see an annual savings of up to 24-29%.
Other Business:
– The Board approved out of state/overnight field trips for: Beauregard High School’s baseball team to attend the state playoffs, Loachapoka’s softball team to attend the state playoffs and backdated approval of trips for Loachapoka softball and Smiths Station soccer to respective postseason tournaments.
– The board reviewed the monthly financial report for the month of March.
– The board reviewed the Lee County Schools Seclusion and Restraint Monthly Report for April.
– The board briefly discussed the current gas shortage and its effect on diesel-fueled school buses in the system.
– The board approved human resource recommendations.
The Lee County School Board meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at 2410 Society Hill Road. The next meeting is scheduled for June 8.