New energy expert could save Shawnee Mission millions

The Shawnee Mission School District has hired an energy analyst to help the district save money. A similar effort in Olathe has saved that district about $1 million a year since 1992.

Energy analyst Bruce Palmer started work in Shawnee Mission on Jan. 6.
Palmer will oversee implementation of the district’s new energy management policy, adopted by the school board in January. The policy will help the district make more efficient use of electricity, gas and water, said Bruce Kracl, Shawnee Mission manager of operations.

“Frankly we haven’t had a program up to this point, and obviously with the state of the financial situation for school districts the time is right to see how much money we can save through conservation measures,” Kracl said.

The district expects utility costs to approach $9 million next school year, but with the new policy and analyst, the savings could total $500,000, Kracl said.

“One of the goals and outcomes is generating enough savings through the program to pay for the position,” Kracl said.

Beyond the first year, the district could reach millions in savings.

The Olathe School District jumped on the conservation bandwagon early, hiring Bob Courtney as energy manager in 1992. Officials credit Courtney with saving the district more than $16 million in utility costs in 18 years. Last year, savings reached $1.6 million, he said.

“It’s called cost avoidance,” Courtney said. “It is not more money that is coming in, it is less money that is going out.”

Savings are gained through constant monitoring of buildings, using energy efficient material for building improvements, and making energy-saving decisions, Courtney said.

He keeps the school board updated regarding the effectiveness of potential and completed projects. And lately, he takes calls from companies touting their green options.

“Certainly with the way the economy is, all school districts are getting more and more calls from green companies,” Courtney said. “They are hungry for business, and you have to wade through some of their offerings to make sure you are not getting scammed or put you in more jeopardy financially than they currently are.”

Courtney’s position was a first in Kansas. Other districts that have followed suit include Emporia, Topeka, Wichita and Salina. He said similar positions have been created at other school districts, universities and mega-churches across the country.

In Kansas, district utilities are paid for out of the same fund salaries and benefits come from, so saving dollars on energy can be a huge help, said Dave Hill, executive director of facilities and operations in Blue Valley.

“If we can save another dollar in energy it helps preserve dollars to keep an employee, pay for the cost of health care,” Hill said.
Blue Valley has had an energy supervisor since 1993. Most of his work involves ensuring optimal use of utilities, especially building HVAC systems, “the district’s biggest energy hogs,” Hill said. Prior to that, the district used a consultant for its energy program.

“To hire a private company … they get a certain percentage of the energy they saved you,” Hill said. “We felt it was in the Blue Valley taxpayers’ best interest to bring that function in house.”

Palmer has been analyzing utility data from the past three years, he said. He will conduct building inspections and work with faculty, staff and students to assess performance and recognize achievements, he said.
In the past few months, the district has made available to schools a computer-based energy tracking program. Indian Woods Middle School, 9700 Woodson Drive, Overland Park, tried the program about a year ago and within six months saw an 11 percent savings. It is one program that will help Palmer in his work, Kracl said.

“I think principals are already taking it upon themselves to (reduce usage) and reap the rewards of their efforts,” Kracl said. “Frankly, we hope it generates competition between buildings, too.”

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