DeWitt Junior High School

DeWitt Public Schools

2957 W. Herbison Road, DeWitt, MI

Property classification: 722 - Middle School

Property website: http://www.dewittschools.net/schools/djh/

Sustainability Summary:

DeWitt Junior High School:

• has a recycling program

The district has implemented a paper reduction strategy. All staff are strongly encouraged to use electronic communication methods. All communications to parents are sent via e-mail to reduce paper consumption. All communications to the community and board of education are done electronically whenever possible. Also, the district has begun to replace lighting fixtures with fixtures that consume less electricity. We are currently working on replacing the lights at the High School gymnasium. This project will save in excess of $7,000 annually in energy costs. The program has a cost of $21,000 with $7,000 of the cost being covered by rebates offered by our utility company. The payback period on this program is 24 months. We are also exploring installation of occupancy sensors which will automatically shut off lights when the space is not occupied.

Property Description:

DeWitt Junior High School was built in 1966. It is a one-story building of approximately 136,300 square feet.  There are 476 students (grades 7-8) with 32 teachers.

Case Study:

We are replacing light fixtures in our High School gymnasium with fixtures that consume less electricity. The projected cost savings is in excess of $7,000 per year and has a 24 month pay back period. We are also exploring installation of occupancy sensors in strategic areas throughout the district. These will shut off lights in areas that are not in use. We have passed a bond issue that will upgrade HVAC controls in two of our buildings. This will allow for better management of the heating and cooling system and result in reduced energy consumption and costs. We have replaced aging boilers in two of our buildings within the last two years and will be replacing a boiler in another building within the next year or two. We will be replacing roofs and will explore improved insulation as a means to reduce energy consumption and costs.

Actions: