Energy-efficient lighting approved for two schools, discussed for others

Bedford County Schools recently received grant funding for energy-efficient lighting at Central and Cascade high schools, but may consider installing such lighting at all county-wide schools, which a company says would pay for itself in less than five years.

Bedford County Board of Education voted Thursday night to formally accept the already-announced $170,525 grant for lighting at Central and Cascade. But Excel Energy Group has proposed installing the new lighting equipment at all county schools, with a guarantee that the annual savings in energy costs would be more than the annual payment on the finance plan. The annual savings are projected to be $284,542, compared to annual payments of $231,943 on the upgrade over a five-year financing term.

In addition to the savings in electrical use, according to the proposal from Excel the change would standardize lighting fixtures across the school system, simplifying the process of stocking and installing replacement bulbs. The upgrade would also include motion sensor controls which automatically turn off the lights when a room is not in use.

School Suprintendent Ed Gray mentioned and briefly discussed the Excel proposal during the discussion of accepting the grant for Cascade and Central.

In other action at Thursday's meeting:

* The board approved the June and July monthly financial reports and the April-June quarterly financial report. Gray said the school system realized 99.08 percent of budgeted revenue but spent only 91.43 percent of budgeted expenses, leading to a slight improvement in the fund balance compared to budget.

* The board approved a contract with Winnett Associates to audit school activity funds. This contract only applies to each school's activity fund; the general school system budget is audited by the state along with other components of the county budget.