The Board recognized Mike Calucci, Dean Krock, Jim Quinn, Dan Whisler and the maintenance staff at GBN and GBS for their efforts

Jim Quinn, Paul Pryma, and Dan Whisler represent district maintenance staff for the recognition. (*Mike Calucci and Dean Krock were unable to attend.)

related to the recent energy study.

Glenbrook High School District 225 recently participated in a retro-commissioning energy study to identify opportunities to reduce energy use and save money at Glenbrook North and South High Schools. The district received the award through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which provided the analysis at no cost. Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) was designated to complete the review at GBN while EnerNOC, Inc., an energy consulting firm, conducted the analysis at GBS. Both schools completed the process during the 2012 spring semester.

The Glenbrooks participate in energy study

GBN and GBS cited as highly efficient

Glenbrook High School District 225 recently participated in a retro-commissioning energy study to identify opportunities to reduce energy use and save money at Glenbrook North and South High Schools. The district received the award through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which provided the analysis at no cost. Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) was designated to complete the review at GBN while EnerNOC, Inc., an energy consulting firm, conducted the analysis at GBS. Both schools completed the process during the 2012 spring semester.

"It was cited that the maintenance staff do an exceptional job in operating the schools in a highly efficient manner," said Director of Operations Dr. Kim Ptak. "The auditors claimed our staff do one of the best jobs with on-going maintenance of any schools they have visited."

After providing an extensive list of overall facility comments, in which they praised the district schools for their proactive energy reduction measures, the auditors shifted their focus to providing specific recommendations to further improve efficiency.

At GBN, SEDAC identified 12 items totaling approximately $38,500 in improvement costs that is expected to result in an annual district savings of $75,000. At GBS, EnerNOC recommended improvements in seven areas that would cost approximately $68,000, but would result in an annual savings of $46,000.

The district will continue to investigate the identified projects and bring further recommendations to the Board of Education Facilities Committee for discussion.

In addition to participating in the audit, the district recently reviewed its energy consumption at a Facilities Committee meeting on August 7.

"As part of our ongoing effort to improve efficiency, the district reduced its energy consumption by more than $1 million since the 2008-09 school year," said Ptak. "This savings has been accomplished largely through behavioral changes by students and staff and by updating mechanical functions to improve efficiency."