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Schools

Company Paying School District to Reduce Energy Consumption

Monday night at Harriton High School, the LMSD Board of Directors approved participation in an energy reduction program to begin in June.

The Lower Merion School District Board of Directors approved plans Monday night to participate in the Demand Response Program, an energy reduction program whereby the district will be paid to cut its energy usage during grid crises.

As explained by LMSD Director of Operations Pat Guinnane, the district will enter into an agreement with curtailment service provider Converge Inc. whereby it will be paid $27,000 in 2011, $36,000 in 2012, and $63,000 in 2013 to reduce its electricity use by 400 kW each at Lower Merion and Harriton High Schools during any "grid crisis" occurring from June 1 to Sept. 30 between the hours of 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The school would get two hours notice before any reduction period.

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These reduced levels, which Guinnane explained would be unlikely to coincide with school events, would be achieved by dimming all lights up to 50 percent, shutting off power in the kitchens and cafeterias, and turning off HVAC in the auditoriums and gyms. Any emergency energy needs would be picked up by the generator.

"You save money, with a minimum impact on education," explained Guinnane, whose original proposal to accept a 1600 kW reduction was rejected by the board.

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Also on the agenda, Guinnane provided an update on ongoing infrastructure repairs in the district and renovations at Lower Merion High School.

The parking lots being erected at LMHS will have 428 spots, 100 of which will be available to students. School buses will be parked below a large chain wall alongside the parking lot where the auditorium sat. They will not, it was emphasized, be visible from Montgomery Avenue. All traffic will be one way.

Resident and attendee Ruth Jenkin asked the board when the scaffolding outside Lower Merion High School would be removed. President David Ebby said that there was no time frame in place, but added that its purpose is to protect students and faculty from falling ice.

The board also approved $107,691.58 in non-district educational spending on five students, unanimously approved the contract for Megan Shafer to serve as Director of Human Resources, and announced that the education documentary Race to Nowhere will be screened at the Lower Merion High School auditorium March 6 at 2 p.m., after which there will be a discussion.

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