The Adair County School District saved more than $30,000 in utility costs this year and won two energy awards for its efforts.
The school district received two awards from the Kentucky Energy and Efficiency Program for Schools: the Stewardship Award and the Champion Award.
The KEEPS program has helped the district make major cuts in its electricity bills since the district started the program in July 2011.
Student teams from the five different Adair County schools worked together to implement the school district’s plan for saving energy. Superintendent Darrell Treece said the district’s goal is to earn the Leadership Award before the end of the year.
According to Bill Gittings, project coordinator, despite natural gas bills rising $6,371, Adair County was able to reach a net savings of $25,678. The Kentucky School Management Program compared this year’s electricity costs to the 2009-2010 school year.
Gittings, who is also part of the Green River Regional Education Cooperative, encouraged teachers and administrators to turn off computers, lights, closely monitor thermostats and shut down refrigerators and vending machines during periods of inactivity.
Go to www.accvonline.com to see photos of the student teams from each school.
