Polson district to upgrade lighting systems

POLSON - — Polson’s four schools will receive upgraded, energy efficient lighting systems this summer, thanks to a $480,000 state grant.

School district No. 23 received the largest chunk of the more than $3.4 million from the Montana Department of Commerce’s Quick Start program. Sixteen other Montana schools received portions of the money.

School board of trustees facility committee chair John Laimbeer said the lighting upgrade project will begin this summer and is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 30.

Quick Start was approved by the 61st Legislature in the Montana Reinvestment Act, House Bill 645, to implement the federal American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009. The program is designed to assist schools with conducting energy audits and completing energy efficiency projects that provide long-term, cost-effective benefits to K-12 school facilities.

 In awarding grants to public school districts, the DOC considers the potential for energy savings in public school facilities based on factors including the age, energy use, function and condition of the building, a DOC press release said.

A preliminary audit and report was presented by McKinstry, a building energy consulting firm, last fall. The report recommended to the district five areas that could be upgraded to save energy, Laimbeer said.

McKinstry has been awarded the contract for the project. 

The proposal sent in by the district asked for $1.6 million, and included expensive projects like updating thermostat control panels and installing double entry doors at several schools.

After Sept. 30, the DOC will conduct a follow-up report, which could open the chance for Polson to apply for additional Quick Start funds.

“I think our chances are pretty good for getting more in the fall,” Laimbeer said.

To date, the Montana Department of Commerce has awarded a total of $4,840,405 in Quick Start grants. Of this, $1,407,527 was awarded to school districts for energy audits. The most recent grants of $3,432,878 have been awarded to school districts for energy efficiency projects ranging from lighting and boilers to heating and ventilation system upgrades, the press release said.