Letters to the Editor
By Lt. Gov. Angela McLean
School is back in session, and I want to be sure that students, teachers, administrators, parents, facility managers, and community members are aware of a new initiative Montana is championing this school year: SMART Schools. Bottom line: If we use less energy and promote health, we will save more money that we can use on classroom instruction.
The message is simple. SMART refers to a schools’ ability to Save Money and Resources Today by designing projects that encourage energy efficiency, conservation, waste reduction, and/or health promotion in schools and districts across Montana.
The reality is that schools in the U.S. spend more than $6 billion a year on energy. Many cite their energy bill as being the largest yearly expense. While we know this, we also know that implementing simple behavioral and operational measures to be smart about energy consumption can shave up to 30 percent off of a school’s yearly energy bill. When we save money on energy use, we shore up money for other things schools need, like computers and technology upgrades.
Simply put: An investment in energy efficiency and health is an easy way to save schools money and make our students perform better. We know that energy efficiency means saving money, and making our schools healthier means better school performance, attendance and fewer visits to the school nurse.
Many schools across Montana have already saved taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in lower utility bills by making simple changes around the school—like shutting off the florescent lights in vending machines or turning the thermostat down by only one or two degrees, which has saved some Montana school districts tens of thousands of dollars per year; or like replacing traditional light bulbs with CFL or LED lights, which produces a more than 118 percent return on investment.
The SMART Schools Challenges are divided into three categories - Energy, Recycling and Green Schools. By signing up for one, two or all three, schools are eligible for: a $1,000 prize, a free investment-grade energy audit (worth $20,000), statewide recognition as a SMART School, technical assistance and mentorship, scholarships for building operator certification trainings (worth $2,000), benchmarking tools, mini-grants for recycling equipment ($500), and many more resources. The top 12 schools in the state will be recognized, and schools have until October 30, 2014 to sign up.
Schools can—and are—leading the way in energy efficiency and health promotion. It’s not only smart; it’s good for schools, good for students and good for Montana taxpayers. I encourage students, teachers, administrators, moms and dads, and community leaders to get involved and sign up for one (or more) of the SMART Schools Challenges. Anyone can apply on behalf of a school. To find out more, visit SMARTSchools.mt.gov.