Could Your District Be Saving Money on Energy Costs?

By Derald Glover, OASA Assistant Executive Director

For over a decade Oklahoma public schools faced budget shortfalls and constant scrutiny centered around school budgets. During that time several school leaders sought out innovative ways to save money in areas to avoid cutting staff and services to students. Through the implementation of energy saving practices and investing in energy saving equipment, these schools have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars that helped them weather the financial downfalls. CCOSA pulled together these schools and strategic partners to develop guidelines that will help schools put in place energy saving measures that will put more dollars in the classroom.

The CCOSA Energy Efficiency Framework has been released and is free to schools. Although the framework is free to all CCOSA members, CCOSA is also providing an opportunity for a limited number of schools to have an energy manager trained at their school. First year savings potentials could reach 20% savings in energy costs. The state revenues and school funding are suffering, an opportunity to find savings in energy costs can help a school put money back into the classroom. It is CCOSA’s hope that this Framework will be a consistent tool that is utilized by every school in the State to make Oklahoma’s public schools the most energy efficient institutions in the state of Oklahoma!

The Framework development would not have been possible without OG&E and innovative school leaders who have sought out creative ways to save money during years of unprecedented cuts to education. Strategic partners such as the Oklahoma School Plant Manager Association (OSPMA), OG&E, PSO, and CleaResult have worked with schools during these challenging times to perfect and build upon the cost saving practices cited in the Framework. Their contributions were vital in its construction.

CCOSA is the association that represents school leaders and has taken on the responsibility of using our great leaders to develop “Quality School Frameworks” that will guide all Oklahoma schools in implementing best practices that will benefit students. This CCOSA Energy Efficiency Framework is the second Framework following the CCOSA Blended Learning Framework. Other Frameworks that have been developed are the CCOSA Professional Budget Framework, the CCOSA Instructional Leadership Framework through ICLE and a soon to be released Equity Framework.

CCOSA is pleased to announce that we have now partnered with Cenergistic, an energy saving and environmental consulting company. Look for more information about how Cenergistic can save you energy as well!

The following principles reflect CCOSA’s stance on Energy Efficiency:

Public Schools and public-school leaders are to be stewards of tax-payer dollars and should implement strategies that maximize dollars spent on student learning.

CCOSA believes that one of the best ways to maximize dollars for students and the classroom is by minimizing dollars spent on electric, natural gas, and water.

All programs at schools can be a learning experience for students, therefore students should be involved in the implementation of energy efficiency measures.