Elk Lake energy conservation ‘outstanding’

BY PAT FARNELLI

 The Elk Lake School District and the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center has achieved a 24 percent cost savings and earned national recognition, announced Ross Kelly of Energy Education’s Eastern Division at the Elk Lake and SCCTC school board meetings Thursday.

ElkLakehas saved a total of $335,339 in 32 months since forming a strategic alliance with Energy Education, a national energy conservation company, which will present the district with its Environmental Excellence Award Aug. 18.

Kelly said that since the district in less than three years, has developed its plan for reducing energy consumption, and has “already surpassed all the milestones with flying colors, blown past a new set of benchmarks, and is trending upward.”

Kelly said the district, still in its third year of the program, has had outstanding results, and invited faculty, staff and administration to attend the recognition.

The school district saved more money by switching electricity providers from Penelec to Allegheny when Penelec’sPTCwent from 6.33 c per kilowatt hour to 7.81c, with an increase planned in September; with Allegheny, thePTCstays at 6.79c per kilowatt hour until September of 2013.  The cost avoidance for 2011 amounted to $18,000.

TheElkLakeSchool Districtand SCCTC are now Energy Star Providers, and will conclude the contractual portion of the program after one more year.

Kelly reminded the board that after completion of the four year contract, there will be no charge whatsoever for the energy program.

In other business, it was announced that the pool ‘s heating and air system will need to be replaced, as it will not last through another school year as hoped.

It will take about 12 weeks from the time the unit is ordered for it to arrive, and one week for installation. The new system will be more energy efficient, it was noted.

The aquatic center is used extensively by the district, and this summer’s usage was extensive, with many different groups and classes using the pool day and night.

Several parents attended the meeting and commented during the visitor section. Mrs. Jayne said she had looked over the site for the SCCTC expansion project, and wondered about the trenches for the electric cables, and how they would hook into the system and be metered.

Superintendent William Bush told her that they would attach to the existing buildings at the elementary school, and would be metered separately.

Residents Robert and Jamie Heft of Lawton attended the meeting in support of the proposed Elk Lake/Montrose cooperative football team, and Robert said, “I’d like to thank you for taking the time to make that dream happen for some of these kids.”

The board was asked ifBlue RidgeSchool District’s withdrawal of students from the SCCTC would be addressed as part of the agenda.

Bush said, “We look forward to their return to the career center whenever they choose to come back.”

Craig Sprout asked ifBlue Ridge’s decision was for this year or next year. Bush said, “I don’t know if it is a one year or two year decision.”

A visitor asked aboutElkLake’s offer to provide transportation to Mountain View SCCTC students. Bush said thatElkLakeextended the offer as an effort to helpMountain Viewwith a budget concern. He said that the districts are reimbursed a year later according to a formula by the Department of Education.

TheLackawannaCollege,LuzerneCountyCommunity College, and Keystone College Dual Enrollment Agreement was approved by the board. Through this program, students can earn college credits for courses taken in high school. Although government funding for the program has been cut, the courses have been significantly reduced in price, and will cost $100 or less per credit.

Permanent contracts were awarded to the following teachers: Megan Casselbury, Irene Patton, Leslie Foster, Joanne Heitsman, Anthony Rezykowski, Julia Chudleigh, and Kaleigh Smales.

An athletic/activity contract was approved by the board, with two new coaches appointed to the roster of 86 positions. Kendra Griffiths was hired as girls’ junior high tennis coach, and Greg Chew as boys’ junior high assistant soccer coach. The remaining coaches and advisors are contract renewals.

A resignation letter was read by Mary Clair Pullman, second grade teacher, for a medical sabbatical/early retirement. The resignation was approved with regret, and Bush said that she would be welcomed back if she feels well enough to return to teaching.

Barbara Lance submitted a request for a family medical leave, as her mother and grandmother are hospitalized and she needs to arrange for long-term care.