Orcas Schools Receive $150,000 for Energy Improvements

The Orcas Island School District (OISD) was notified last week that they will receive $150,000 in a grant to provide for energy efficiency improvements to schools. The award was made by the State Office of Public Instruction, and the grant program is funded by the State Legislature.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instructions announced: “A total of 59 districts will receive nearly $16.7 million for projects that include upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, repair and upgrade of controls, and replacement of inefficient lighting.”

To qualify for the funds, districts were required to conduct audits of the school facilities to identify projects that could demonstrate guaranteed energy savings. The districts also had to show what local financial resources they had for the project.

The Orcas School District application was shepherded by Cathy Ferran, Administrative Assistant to District Superintendent Barbara Kline. Ferran was in communications with Representative Jeff Morris’ office in researching and applying for this and federal grants. The “investment-grade energy audit” that the OISD school board authorized earlier this year was instrumental in obtaining the funding, Kline said.

The extensive building audit was conducted on Sept. 1, 2009, by the Plant Operations and Support Consortium – a “hybrid” Washington State University Extension Energy Program/ State Department of General Administration, managed by Bob MacKenzie, who reported to the district board at a meeting on July 23.

“It’s nice that so many people will help a small district,” said Kline.

“It’s challenging to get yourself in a spot where you can apply for the funds, because the rules keep changing.” She adds that the district will seek matching funds to complete the energy upgrades.

This grant program is administered by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The office received 81 grant applications.