Unit 5 Board approves new energy saving measures for schools

Posted on February 22, 2024

*Unit 5 said the new upgrades will reduce maintenance costs while making the schools even more energy efficient. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)*

NORMAL – Towanda Elementary and Prairieland Elementary will soon be receiving an updated “Campus Optimizer” to make the schools more green and energy efficient.

Approved as part of the Feb. 21 consent agenda, the two schools had previously been underperforming in regard to energy consumption.

In 2022, Prairieland had an Energy Star score of 43, ranking it in the bottom 50th percentile for energy efficiency. Towanda had an Energy Star score of 23, putting it in the bottom 25th percentile.

Energy Star scores measure building energy efficiency.

The Campus Optimizers were added to the schools in 2023 and immediate effects were felt.

Prairieland is now ranked at an Energy Star score of 53 and Towanda sits at 34.

The vote on Wednesday will continue this trend by upgrading the HVAC. Antiquities in the current temperature control were found to be over a decade past their 15-year life-expentancy.

The new upgrades will reduce maintenance costs while making the schools even more energy efficient.

The money comes from life safety funds from each school.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…