September Message from the USD 224 Superintendent
by Brian Pekarek
Energy Efficiency and Education within USD 224
I recently attended a superintendent workshop where the keynote
speaker discussed the changes that are affecting our world
regarding energy and the job market. He shared data not only from
the marketplace on existing jobs, but how these jobs are changing
for future generations right before our own eyes. The speaker
specifically mentioned that by 2025, one-sixth of all jobs in the
United States will be linked to some sort of “Green Energy” and/or
“Green Technology”. If this holds to be true, we owe it to future
generations to educate our children about the benefits of “green
technology”, energy conservation, and energy efficiency. In this
manner, I believe that schools should not only take the lead in
educating effective energy conservation, but should be modeling
this new “clean and renewable energy” to the students, staff, and
community members. From this perspective, I wanted to inform the
public on some of the exciting changes that are happening within
the USD 224 Clifton-Clyde District regarding energy efficiency and
energy education for the month of September.
Energy Efficiency and Cost: Although the school budget cut is not
welcomed by any educator, it has made us more conscience of how we
spend our money and what we spend our money on. It has also made us
critically look at areas where we might improve our efficiency and
get the most money out of our “education dollar”. One of these
places is within the realm of energy efficiency.
USD 224 Energy
Audit: One of many proactive steps that the USD 224 School
Board has done on energy efficiency is agreeing to an internal
energy audit by Trane Energy. This is a free service from Trane
Energy, but it allows the district a chance to get an outside
perspective on where and how we might be more energy efficient. (It
is also a pre-requisite for any “Clean and Renewable ARRA Stimulus
Money” from the Federal Government.) In the energy audit, the Trane
Energy consultant will work with our school board in order to look
at every aspect of our district energy consumption in order for us
to be the most energy efficient. At the end of the audit, Trane
Energy will suggest a list of possible improvements to the district
that would save money in the long run by creating a better
environment for our children and a more energy efficient one as
well.
Wind Power at CCHS: Not only is it important to be more
efficient with our district’s energy consumption, but it is also
vitally important to educate our children and community on possible
clean and renewable energy sources. To accomplish this task, I
wrote and received a grant for $9,000 in order to construct a small
wind turbine in the Clifton-Clyde High School football field
complex. Not only will this provide a small amount of electricity,
but it will allow our students and community members to learn about
the benefits of wind energy first hand.
Solar Power at CCHS: Not only will there be a wind turbine at CCHS this year, but we also will have solar-powered water well that will be located on the football complex. This item will be placed close to the wind turbine so that the students and public can view and learn about both wind and solar in the same area.
Educating the Public Although the public can view the wind
and solar projects anytime at Clifton-Clyde High School, USD 224
has a specific plan for educating the public on how the
technologies work. During the halftimes of each home football game
at CCHS, we will make an announcement for anyone who is interested
in learning about clean and renewable energy to please report to
the wind turbine area. After this is done, the CCHS student council
will briefly talk about the solar and wind technologies and answer
any questions from the public. We believe that this would not only
educate our community, but the communities from other schools as
well.
Possible Governor Visit to USD 224: Although Governor
Parkinson’s schedule has not been finalized yet, I have heard from
our state legislators that there is a possibility that he may come
through Concordia at the end of September. Knowing this, I have
been working with our state legislators to encourage the Governor
(who heavily promotes wind and solar energy) to stop by and visit
with the students at CCHS and view our projects.
Coming Together as a
Community to Provide Energy Efficiency: Although USD 224
received only $9,000 for the wind turbine, we have a wonderful
experience coming together in order to make these projects a
reality for our community. The wind turbine company (PIFM) was
willing to reduce their costs to meet our grant price, Praireland
Electric was willing to donate the solar powered water well and
help us on the electrical connections, Twin Valley Communications
helped us with the boring and trenching, the City of Clyde dug the
hole for our foundation, Concordia Ready Mix Concrete provided the
concrete for the foundation work. In addition, Kenton Brown
Construction provided the rebar and guidance on the foundation
work, and Jim Germann Construction provided funds for a taller wind
turbine pole. Many community members provided help and advice
during every stage of this development in order to make these
projects a success. Therefore, a special thanks goes out to these
individuals and companies for providing their support: the USD 224
Board of Education, Terry Koch, Dan Koch, Kenton Brown, Steve
Rogers, Michael Duever, Gary Bouley, Jody Sipe, Cheryl Keim, Tom
Hamel, Mari Detrixhe, Jim Germann, Bruce Graham, Elaine Bowers,
Mark Taddiken, Tom Raleigh, Ron Elsasser, Bill Peterson, the USD
224 staff, the City of Clyde, Prairieland Electric, Twin Valley
Communications, Concordia Ready-Mix Concrete, Kansas Green Schools,
and many others. Thank you again for your support of energy
efficiency and energy education within USD 224. We could not have
done these two projects without your help.
As always, it is an honor to serve the Clifton-Clyde Communities as your Superintendent of Schools. Contact me any time if you have questions or concerns about energy efficiency and energy education at USD 224. Together, we can effectively educate our children and community members on energy efficiency and clean/ renewable energy technologies for years to come.
Sincerely,
Mr. Brian Pekarek
USD 224 Superintendent
785-455-3313
bpekarek@usd224.com
