SD2 seeks grants for energy work

Jun. 3--Billings School District 2 is seeking state funding for $3.7 million in "quick start" projects that would make district buildings more energy-efficient.

Trustees held a special meeting Tuesday so the district can begin applying for a share of $15 million in federal money available through the state. The money is being allocated through competitive grants, with districts applying early being considered first.

The availability of the funding is shaky, said Superintendent of Schools Jack Copps, because nothing in the Montana law that created the quick-start program requires the Department of Commerce to either grant all of the money or create a second round of grants if money is left over.

The list was presented to trustees during their May meeting and then sent to the district's Budgeting for Results committee. Malcolm Goodrich, who chairs the board and the BFR committee, said the list was accepted by a majority of committee members. SD2 facilities director Rich Whitney said the 15-item list represents only a small portion of districtwide needs. The projects chosen fit the quick-start requirements of creating energy efficiencies that can be completed by Sept. 30.

The projects sometimes fall off the to-do list because they aren't critical to keeping schools safe and operable. "When you have $121 million (in needs) you're always kind of falling over the edge because you have way more problems than we have resources," Whitney said.

The board also approved $137,000 for audits, which are required before quick-start projects can be approved. The audits must be completed by firms approved by the Department of Commerce. The audits range from $2,000 to $15,000 each and may be reimbursable, said the district's financial officer, Thomas Harper.

Here is the list of projects, with payback periods based on annual savings: Skyview, chiller/heat exchange, $315,000, payback 13.3 years.

Facilities building roof replacement, $252,000 of which $82,000 would be deferred maintenance spending, payback 20 years.

Career Center rooftop units replacement, $625,000, annual savings $20,000.

Senior energy management system (EMS), $35,000, payback 1.33 years.

Big Sky EMS, $48,000, payback 5.93 years.

Lincoln Center EMS, $65,000, payback 2.43 years.

Castle Rock tech ed roof replacement, $110,000 of which $46,800 would be deferred maintenance spending, payback 68 years.

West EMS, cost $185,000, payback 5.18 years.

Eagle Cliffs EMS, cost $150,000, payback 25.53 years.

Skyview EMS, $280,000, payback 6.78 years.

Senior window replacement, $864,565, payback 66 years.

Poly window replacement, $435,430, payback 62 years.

Arrowhead light replacement, $78,658, payback 5.59 years.

Energy Management Action Plan, implementing energy savings programs identified by the district's contractor, $300,000.

Replacement of a heating system at Daylis Stadium was removed from the list because contractors said it can't be completed by the fall deadline. However, trustees voted to get the energy audit on the project because that can be used in the future. Trustee Barbara Bryan voted against the motion to include the audit. The full project is $349,600.

High schools trustee Joel Guthals said the Daylis system, along with management systems at Senior, Big Sky, Lincoln Center, West, Eagle Cliffs and Skyview, are all facing "catastrophic failure" that will seriously affect the schools.

"If you want to see uncomfortable children, wait until those thermostats can't be controlled," Guthals said, adding that another problem would be skyrocketing utility expenses.

The state also has money available for deferred maintenance projects. There is $20 million available for Montana, which is allotted based on the number of teachers in each district. The SD2 high school district should receive $615,241, and the elementary district $1,238,526, Harper said.

In other business, trustees: Agreed to appoint a Zone 2 trustee at their June 15 meeting.

A trustees screening committee of Goodrich, Mary Jo Fox and Kathy Aragon will interview the candidates and make a recommendation. The candidates are Joyce Weber and Pamela Ellis.

Appointed an ad hoc subcommittee on facility issues.

The board agreed last month to take a closer look at facilities planning, including the option of hiring a consultant. The issue will be turned over to the planning and development committee when it is reconstituted this fall.

The committee, which includes Aragon, Bryan and Peter Gesuale, will develop the tasks, the scope of the facilities review, timeline and options for independent contractors. Trustee Teresa Stroebe, who represents a high school district, may join the committee. They will report to the board during its July 20 meeting.

The committee will hold its first meeting at 8 a.m. Friday in room 216 at Lincoln Center.