Staff Writer
The Caribou Board of Education, during a recent regular meeting, approved to enter into a Performance Contract with TRANE, for energy efficiency improvements to be completed at the Caribou High School and the Caribou Technology Center. This contract will, in effect, involve a wide variety of issues dealing with energy conservation and efficiency. The $2.9 million project will address everything from water saving devices, windows, installing special software that will turn off computers when not in use, automated switches to turn out classroom lights when rooms are vacant and which will also shut off vending machines that currently stay on all the time.
Also included within the energy contract projects will be the upgrading of the hot water system, creating a more efficient and energy saving environment for staff and students. Another project will involve improving the current motor operated ventilation process in the performing arts building. Striving to use less energy and operate more efficiently, the current motors will be replaced with variable speed motors.
The biggest energy change will occur when the entire heating system at the facility is changed from it’s current oil heat to that operated by a woodchip boiler. Although there are no boilers of this type in Northern Maine, this boiler has been used extensively in Europe including applications within a similar climate. To achieve the targeted efficiency, burning high quality, low moisture, hardwood chips that have no bark would be necessary.
The woodchip boiler would operate at an estimated 87 percent combustion efficiency and have the ability to modulate based on the load of the building. Frank McElwain, superintendent of the Caribou schools stated, “Converting the school to hot water will greatly enhance its’ efficiency.”
A general concern voiced by local residents has been, “Is there an “Out” clause if the boiler smells and pollutes?”( What guarantee does the surrounding residential area have?)
In response to this obvious concern citizens have been informed that like all installations, there is a guarantee and a warrantee for a working project. TRANE has a vested interest to insure that the project works. They guarantee the energy savings.
Another question in the minds of many is “How will this boiler affect the value of neighboring property?” The committee and the energy company can’t predict the impact but do not believe this system should affect the value of neighboring property in a negative way.
According to McElwain and the board of education members, one of the main advantages of this project is to be able to upgrade the school’s entire heating system. The Caribou High School was built in 1964 and the Vocational Center in 1985. Although regular maintenance on the heating systems has been done, they are due for replacement. The energy sayings would fund the replacement of all 66 uni-ventilators, replace old plumbing and install modern controls. In addition to significant fuel savings, the comfort level of the learning environment will be greatly improved.
‘We are continuing to work with TRANE to develop other energy conservation measures for all our schools,” said McElwain.” TRANE is working with the Facilities Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for the Board to consider, “ he added, “ Wood chip boilers may be considered in other buildings as well.
The funding for this contract comes from the energy savings through a “performance contract.” The money dedicated to the school budget for energy costs that won’t need to be spent on energy due to the energy project upgrades would be used to make the annual payment to a lending institution.
McElwain said the next step is to send proposals out to financial agencies and once a relationship has been established the actually installation projects would begin probably by spring. Each phase of the energy conservation process will be done by working around the normal everyday workings at the facility with as little as possible disruption.
McElwain also stated that it has been a foremost priority of the board of education members to have TRANE put out job proposals so local contractors will be able to send in their bids, keeping much of the actual work done locally.
Anyone wishing more information on this energy efficiency project can go to www.caribouschools.org and continue on the link designated to woodchip boiler information.
In other business considered during the meeting, the board considered adopting a resolution supporting the formation of a Regional School Unit to include Caribou, Caswell, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, New Sweden, Stockholm, Westmanland and Woodland School administrative units.
The state mandated Regional School Unit (RSU) plan has been completed and accepted by the State Board of Education. The goal is for units to include at least 2,500 students, although there are exceptions in the law for units of 1,200 and at least 1,00. The goal of the state reorganization mandate will reduce the number of school units within the state from 288 to 80. This reorganization law is about reorganizing school administration not about consolidating smaller schools into larger ones.
The reasoning behind the reorganization has been to allow more efficient school units to be formed while providing a quality education for all students.
School districts who fail to reorganize by July 1, 2009, will receive a reduction in their funding from the state. McElwain said, “The estimated penalty for our RSU is $446,464.
There will be a public hearing on the RSU Plan at 7 p.m. in the Caribou City Council Chambers. A Public Forum on the RSU Plan for all interested community members will be held at the Caribou Performing Arts Center, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m.
There will be a referendum vote on the RSU Plan, Jan. 27 with the new RSU effective July 1, 2009.
Anyone wishing to peruse a summary of the RSU plan or in it’s entirety can pick up a copy from the Caribou Town Office, the superintendent’s office or go on line at www.caribouschools.org.
Superintendent McElwain also reminds students and parents that beginning Tuesday, Jan. 6, classes at Caribou High School will be extended by 45 minutes each day until Jan. 15. This extended class time is a result the two bomb threats received on Dec. 18 and 19.
“There was a lot of teaching and learning lost because of these threats,” said McElwain. “this type of problem results in the loss of tens of thousands of dollars and significant cost in public safety.”
“We don’t take this type of occurrence lightly,” stated McElwain, “ we do have some significant pieces of evidence and we will continue to pursue all aspects of these threats, to the full extent that our policies and the law allows.”
