The Examiner U-46 News Feed

Completed projects listing provided to U-46 trustees

By Seth Hancock
  There was over $24 million spent on capital projects in School District U-46 last summer.
  That was according to Patricia Waldau, director of plant operations, who presented a summary to the Board of Education earlier this school year.
  “It was a particularly trying construction year with several unprecedented challenges, from the operating engineer’s union strike, material delays and supply chain issues,” Waldau said. “But I’m happy to report that even with those obstacles, the plant operations team was able to complete a robust list of capital projects and generate substantial savings from the energy efficiency programs and incentives.”
  Included was the first phase of an update at Streamwood High School for its pathways program. Auditorium lights were replaced at Bartlett High School.
  There were flooring projects, such as library carpet replacement and tiling projects at seven schools, gym floor refinishing at three schools, athletic facilities and stadium upgrades at three high schools, interior upgrades (ceiling, office renovations, etc.) at six buildings, chiller replacements at eight schools, boiler replacements at five schools, parking lot repaving at four locations, exterior upgrades (sidewalk, roofing, etc.) at eight schools and building access and security controls (security access and playground cameras) at 14 schools.
  The district saved $554,820 through incentives and rebates on various projects. It also received $99,113 through a demand response “reduction event,” Waldau said, in which all secondary schools participated in reducing energy consumption on July 6.
  “Demand response provides the opportunity for the district to play a significant role in the operation of the electric grid by reducing or shifting our electricity usage during peak periods,” Waldau said.
  Waldau said the district uses a consultant, ClearResult, for energy management. Additionally, eight sites were Energy Star certified which means the buildings performed in the top 25 percent nationwide with similar buildings for energy conservation.
  U-46 also has its own energy incentive program where it awarded five locations for energy conservation resulting in prizes from the district including a roof ladder, custom entry mat, chair dolly/desk mover, commercial freezer, projector screen, revamped sign and snow blower.