The Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) approved four school districts for participation in an energy conservation program during its Thursday meeting.
The commission was also updated on the 21st Century School Design Symposium 2.0 held Tuesday at the Columbus Museum of Art. The symposium addressed school districts planning new classrooms and provided ideas on how to design those projects.
Participants were shown innovative designs from five Ohio districts — Clyde-Green Springs Local (Sandusky County), Akron City, Dayton City, Hamilton City, and Highland Local (Morrow). The symposium also featured keynote speakers Bob Sommers, director of Gov. John Kasich’s Office of 21st Century Education, Christian Long of Be Playful Design, and Zac Chase & Chris Lehman of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. The academy is often considered a national role model for student-centered, project-based learning environments.
OSFC Executive Director Richard Hickman told commission members the symposium was aimed at districts that eventually will be in the building program.
Among the commission’s actions was the approval of projects under OSFC’s energy conservation program. The districts — Manchester Local (Adams County), Columbia Local (Lorain County), Bright Local (Highland County), and Boardman Local (Mahoning County) — are expected to see $706,000 in annual savings through planned improvements.
The Manchester Local School District project includes the installation of a new boiler system, along with insulation for the system’s piping, and upgrades to lighting and building automation controls. The district anticipates $46,450 in annual energy and operational savings.
The Columbia Local School District project will involved work in five separate buildings, including the installation of three new heating boilers, and upgrades to the lighting, mechanical systems, and building automation controls. The district anticipates $78,701 in annual energy and operational savings.
The Bright Local School District project includes lighting, boiler plant and building automation upgrades in two buildings and the installation of a new energy-efficient kitchen steamer. The district anticipates $53,078 in annual energy and operational savings.
The Boardman Local School District project is the largest of the projects, involving work in 10 buildings. In addition to lighting and building automation upgrades, the district will install a new boiler along with window, door and roof replacements. The district anticipates $528,447 in annual energy and operational savings.