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Austin Public Schools ISD 492

Austin, Minnesota
Top Performer (2007)

The Austin Public Schools Independent School District 492 educates more than 4,400 students in seven school buildings that occupy more than a million square feet of floor space. The district's mission is to work together with family and community to empower all to learn for life, to strive for excellence, and to contribute in a global society. The district views energy efficiency as an important opportunity to teach students about environmental protection while, at the same time, reducing operating costs. Austin Public Schools ISD 492 strives to conserve energy in order to maximize the funds available for instructional programs and support services.

 

The district's partnership with the Schools for Energy EfficiencyTM (SEE) program has provided valuable resources and ideas that have helped meet energy goals and ensure that students are encouraged to change behaviors in order to be good stewards of the environment. Austin Public Schools earned ENERGY STAR Leaders Top Performer recognition for an average energy performance rating of 81, and four of the district's buildings have earned the ENERGY STAR. Since 2005, the district has saved more than $142,000 on energy costs and prevented more than 2.3 million pounds of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.

 

To achieve these results, Austin Public Schools hired an energy coordinator to assist an outside firm in tracking energy use. Energy teams were created for each school to encourage behavioral changes, identify energy savings opportunities, and implement the program. Successful efficiency measures included: a comprehensive plan for recommissioning all buildings; increased focus on energy system and equipment maintenance; motion sensors in all school rooms; upgraded lighting systems; modified indoor and outdoor lighting schedules and thermostat set points; and ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment and appliances whenever possible.