The Opportunity
The Platte County R-III School District is financially stable with a lot of exciting things on the horizon. Growth has kept them close to their bond debt capacity, assessed values have been stagnant while more and more is being asked to meet student needs. They were looking for alternative ways to help fund their long range facility plans as funds budgeted for facility improvements and new facilities were not keeping up with needs. Their needs included improving and replacing aging equipment. They also had a need for new facilities to begin moving away from the model of small school facilities that house 2-3 grades. The intent is to move toward a more standardize K-6 elementary structure over time. Many of their facilities were operating with in-efficient aging equipment and systems which also provided significant comfort issues.
The Technical Solution
With eight aging facilities and several additions built over the years, the Platte County R-III School District was a collection of different types of systems and equipment. Navitas conducted an investment grade audit to help the district identify equipment that needed to be replaced and other energy saving strategies to implement. The district decided to implemented an energy performance contract to replace much of their aging systems. This included lighting upgrades, water efficiency upgrades, temperature control upgrades, heating and cooling system upgrades and improvements to the building envelopes. They also implemented data analytics and an energy manager to educate and make sure future decisions continue to consider and evaluate energy conservation.
The Financial Solution
Navitas helped identify the energy savings strategies and improvements to fund significant facility improvements. Over $456,000 in annual savings and $320,000 in utility incentives provided more than enough money to fund $5,148,451 in facility improvements. This program has helped to modernize their educational spaces and bring their schools into the top 25th percentile of schools nationwide.
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Platte County R-3 School District Receives Institutional Energy Management Award
