HEGINS - The Tri-Valley school board will approve an energy saving plan that has the potential to save the district just over a million dollars.
The board will vote at its meeting May 8 to approve the plan, which was presented at last month's meeting by Shayne Homan from McClure Co.
The plan includes improvements to lights, including the gymnasium lighting which is required to be turned on all day at this point due to the type of bulb and time it takes to reach it's full potential. Homan also said the pneumatic system that was installed in 1996 will be replaced with a more efficient system as well as new boilers.
Board member Jerry Beaver asked if the savings are guaranteed and Homan assured the directors that this plan is a win-win for everyone. He said the savings are guaranteed and if not McClure Company would be responsible for reimbursing the district.
Homan said the work will be completed this summer while the students are out on break and the only thing that will need to be done when the students return in the fall will be the fine tuning of the system.
While the district plans to enter an energy savings project and other building projects throughout the district, board members accepted the resignation of Ralph Schwalm, maintenance supervisor. He is retiring effective June 28.
In other business, students will pay more for their school lunches in the 2013-14 school year.
The board approved the increase which takes into account the requirements of the 2011 Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act.
The new prices are as follows: Elementary paid lunch, $2.20; High school paid lunch, $2.45; adult lunch, $3.50; breakfast, elementary and secondary paid, $1.15. Milk will remain at $0.55 with no increase.
