Schools can get SMART about energy use

Guest Commentary:

As a twenty-year classroom teacher, I’ve seen first-hand how schools constantly work to make their education dollars stretch as far as possible. From textbooks and lab supplies to technology and instructional tools, Montana educators are ensuring that the resources that are allocated to schools are used in the most efficient way possible.

An often forgotten cost of educating students is the expense of keeping lights on and water running in our schools. This is why I’m pleased, this week, to be kicking off the second annual SMART Schools Challenge.

The SMART Schools Challenge (Saving Money And Resources Today) is aimed at saving schools money and resources by promoting a healthy learning environment and encouraging energy efficiency, conservation, waste reduction and green practices in schools across the state. 

Schools in the United States spend more than $6 billion a year on energy. Many cite their energy bill as being the largest yearly expense after personnel. Implementing simple behavioral and operational measures to be smart about energy consumption can shave up to 30 percent off a school’s yearly energy expense. When we save money on energy use, we shore up money for other needs, like computers and technology upgrades.

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, or replacing traditional light bulbs with CFL or LED lights, which produces a more than 118 percent return on investment. 

Montana teachers and students have already made a big impact in their communities and in their school budgets. Last year, 46 schools from across Montana enrolled in the 2014-2015 SMART Schools Challenge. Together, Montana’s SMART Schools saved more than $100,000 through energy conservation, recycled or composted over 60,000 pounds of waste and offset 123 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. Additionally, SMART Schools educators delivered resource conservation presentations to over 3,700 students in schools all across the state.

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, statewide recognition as a SMART School, technical assistance and mentorship, scholarships for building operator certification trainings (worth $2,000), benchmarking tools, mini-grants for projects or start-up equipment ($500) and many more resources. The top 12 schools in the state will be recognized, and schools have until October 30, 2015 to sign up. 

Montana schools can — and are — leading the way in energy efficiency and health promotion. 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. 

For more information, visit the SMART Schools website at SMARTSchools.mt.gov or contact our office at SMARTSchools@mt.gov. Saving money and resources for Montana’s schools and environment isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s the SMART thing to do.

— Angela McLean is the lieutenant 

governor of Montana