Polk Schools Among State’s Best For Low Energy Usage, Costs
July 28, 2010
The most recent statistics from the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) show that the Polk Public Schools are among the best school districts for energy efficiency. The report was issued by the FDOE Deputy Commissioner of Finance And Operations.
Of all 67 school districts, Polk was listed in the report as best in the state for lowest cost based on its number of students. Polk was listed in the same report as second lowest in the state for cost per square foot. Click here to view the state energy document.
The school district’s Office of Support Services recently submitted a report to the school board highlighting Support Services’ energy consumption statistics. Support Services oversees the school district’s energy consumption efforts in school district buildings.
The report included:
- The school district began an energy education program in 1992 and since that time the district has saved more than $71 million in energy costs. The energy education program works to educate staff and students on ways to reduce energy costs. More than $9 million was saved in the 2008-2009 school year alone. The amount of money saved from the 2009-2010 school year is still being determined.
- For every dollar spent on energy education programs in 2008-2009, $27 was returned to the district in the form of a cost savings.
- Polk’s energy costs are 80 cents per square foot compared to the state average of $1.37 per square foot.
- Polk uses 42 percent less energy per square foot compared to the state average.
- Polk’s average cost per square foot went down 1 cent while the state’s average went up 2 cents.
- In the state’s formula measuring energy cost per number of students, the state’s average went up 4.5 percent while Polk’s decreased by 0.4 percent.
- If all 67 school district’s consumed energy at a comparable rate as Polk, the state would have saved more than $250 million in energy costs in 2008-2009.
- Through water conservation measures and devices, the school district uses 25 percent less water currently than it did in 1991. Square footage of school district buildings has increased by 66.8 % since 1991.
- The school district has recovered approximately $105,000 in refunds from utility companies in 2008-2009 who made billing errors to the school district. Special software implemented by the school district is able to detect potential billing errors.
