Hastings School District Improves Learning Environment Through $2.1 Million Performance Contract

Hastings School District Improves Learning Environment Through $2.1 Million Performance Contract

Hastings Public School District, Hastings, Nebraska The Hastings Public School District serves almost 3,500 students in nine buildings totaling more than 500,000 square feet. Challenges: • • •

Improve learning environment quality without additional taxpayer burden. Provide stability for the district operating budget. Address deferred maintenance issues in district buildings.

Solutions: • •

Implemented a $2.1 million Performance Contract with Johnson Controls that included a lighting retrofit, the installation of a Johnson Controls Metasys® Facility Management System (FMS) and other equipment improvements. Contracted for a 7-year Planned Service Agreement with Johnson Controls to maintain district equipment.

Results: • • • • •

Facilitated significantly improved classroom comfort levels of temperature and indoor air quality. Implemented project without raising the tax levy, using existing funding options and monies saved from energy efficiencies. Reduced utility expenses within the first year by $168,399, exceeding projected savings by $80,634; these resources were reinvested in the education process. Achieved a 5 percent decrease in liability insurance rates due to improved facilities. Experienced operational savings of $85,014 due to improved equipment, as well as a structured maintenance program through the Planned Service Agreement.

Johnson Controls Performance Contract has Big Impact on Hastings School District The Hastings School District thinks proactively, but its budget hasn’t always kept up with such thinking. "We have buildings and equipment that are 55 to 75 years old," says Barry Ballou, the district’s business manager. "We were able to do minimal upkeep, sporadically provided, but we deferred maintenance due to lack of funds and other district priorities. We had problems with classroom temperature and air quality. We wanted to achieve savings through energy efficiencies, but the dollars weren’t there to do the necessary work." Barry Ballou, business manager for the Hastings Public School District, has worked with Johnson Controls from the projects' beginning. He is pleased with the district's ability to achieve energy savings and building improvements while remaining financially responsible with taxpayer funds.

In 1994, the district began to explore alternatives for enhancing facilities without raising the tax levy. An audit was performed and in June of 1995 Johnson Controls was awarded a $2.1 million, two-phase Performance Contract. During the summer, Johnson Controls installed a lighting retrofit, repaired or replaced heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, and improved ventilation. The company also installed the Johnson Controls Metasys® Facility Management System (FMS) to connect new and existing equipment under one control system. "By August 24th, Johnson Controls had completed all the work in critical areas, and school started on time," says Kenneth D. Anderson, Ph.D., superintendent of schools. "Everything was finished by December 1, with no downtime or disruption to the classrooms." Positive Outcomes Affirm Decision Dr. Anderson confirms that the projects have provided Hastings with enhanced physical learning environments. "Our teacher and student morale has improved with increased classroom comfort - no more stuffy classrooms or having to wear coats in class," he says. As the district’s business manager, Ballou is pleased with the extended life of equipment and facilities, and the ability to focus on long-term planning. "In one year, our utility expenses decreased 45.7 percent, or $168,399. This is $80,634 more than the savings amount guaranteed by Johnson Controls," says Ballou. "In addition, we achieved operational savings of $85,014, due to increased staff efficiency with the Metasys installation." Improved temperature and air quality have enhanced the classroom learning environment; increased equipment and facilities life has enhanced the bottom line.

Because of the Planned Service Agreement with Johnson Controls, the district knows what its budget is going to be for the next seven years. It has more money to direct from facilities to the education process, and stabilizing those costs makes planning easier.

Glen Haywood, director of maintenance, transportation and grounds, is impressed with Metasys and the quick reaction it allows in diagnosing problems, facilitating controls solutions and plotting trends. "I can sit at the Operator Workstation and see what’s happening," he says. "Very often, we don’t have to direct manpower off-site to solve a problem - we correct it via Metasys. That saves time and catches problems before they become crises, allowing us to concentrate our energies on other matters." Proactive Thinking Pays Off Perhaps the strongest commendation comes from the Hastings School District School Board. During a meeting, board member Jeff O’Donnell pointed to the decision to contract with Johnson Controls as a "very wise, prudent decision - a decision that will have one of the biggest impacts ever on the district over the long term." As partners with Hastings School District, Johnson Controls looks forward to working together to influence the future.