Umatilla School District offers K-12 students more than just an education

The Umatilla School District continues to have an active energy program since registering in Energy Trust of Oregons Strategic Energy Management (SEM) offering in 2019. The cost savings piece of energy effectiveness is important to the 3 schools that make up the district, but the district focuses on emphasizing the effect that reducing energy use can have on the environment. The Districts energy team has actually been a hit amongst trainees and staff. Stacy leads the team in discovering energy cost savings throughout the schools and has assisted the district shift their purchasing patterns. Stacy sees the worth of energy upgrades and brings the vision in whatever he does– not only for his team but for the district and the bottom line.

The Umatilla School District continues to have an active energy program considering that registering in Energy Trust of Oregons Strategic Energy Management (SEM) offering in 2019. The cost savings piece of energy effectiveness is important to the 3 schools that make up the district, however the district focuses on highlighting the effect that decreasing energy use can have on the environment.
Teamwork
The Districts energy group has actually been a hit among trainees and staff. “Administration, maintenance staff, students, instructors, they all work to inform others along with recognize energy-saving tasks” stated Sipe. The group has actually seen success with behavioral modifications with students who fast to adapt to basic routines like shutting off lights. “A teacher turned on the lights in the class and a student called her out. He stated, you know, I actually feel like we get enough natural light now, I dont think we require those lights on.” These basic, low-priced changes have enabled trainees and personnel to alter the culture in a positive way.
Because the energy team has numerous years of SEM under their belt, the cost savings are starting to include up. “My handle the group is, if they conserved enough energy, then they could determine where they desired to reroute those funds,” said Sipe. The habits work combined with equipment upgrades has actually enabled the district to invest the cost savings on other improvements. As trainees go back to in-person knowing, trainees at the intermediate school will enjoy a new playground bought with the cost savings.
Management
Much of the SEM program and expense savings success is credited to the maintenance director, Stacy Skerjanec. Stacy leads the group in finding energy savings throughout the schools and has actually helped the district move their buying patterns. “Stacy will go through refund lists and make certain that whatever were acquiring, that weve taken into account the energy use along with the possible rebates,” stated Sipe. Stacy sees the worth of energy upgrades and brings the vision in everything he does– not just for his team however for the district and the bottom line. “Hes a terrific mix of useful knowledge, hands-on skill and vision.”
Continuing Education
The trainees arent the only ones learning in the Umatilla School District. BOC is a nationally recognized program that provides structure operators the abilities and understanding to improve the energy efficiency of their building.
“Its difficult to discover strong expert development opportunities for upkeep personnel and the BOC is a terrific opportunity for them,” said Sipe. The BOC education empowers the upkeep group to look beyond fixing equipment and truly assess how to recognize use patterns and improve energy performance. “BOC as a whole has assisted the team see the methods which energy effectiveness can impact their workplace or classroom environment, and also the spending plan,” stated Sipe.
To learn more on existing structure residential or commercial property upgrades, BOC and SEM, call 1.866.605.1676 or email existingbuildings@energytrust.org.