Tahlequah Public Schools

Tahlequah Public Schools is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a city nestled in the northeast region in Cherokee County. The district operates seven schools, including a pre-kindergarten school, three elementary schools, a middle school, an academy and one high school.

Tahlequah Public Schools had recently passed a bond issue that enabled them to address many deferred cost items; however, they still had a wide array of facility repairs and improvement needs. They elected to explore Energy Performance Contracting as a budget-neutral way to get more done. The district turned to ESP to identify and develop energy and operational savings opportunities that could fund themselves and some other improvement needs.

ESP and the District devised a phased approach aimed at minimizing financial impacts on the district. Phase one involved the installation of LED lighting and dimming capabilities in classrooms throughout the District. The savings from this phase were measured and verified, so the district proceeded with upgrades to domestic water fixtures, building envelope, HVAC replacements and retro-commissioning, VAV conversions and enhanced building controls.

By implementing the energy-saving improvements, the district was able to secure funding that will be paid for by guaranteed savings from the current budgeted costs over time, to pay for improvements rather than having to increase taxes or ask for another bond issue. The upgrades have created a better learning and teaching environment for students and staff. The district will also reduce its annual greenhouse gas impact by 1,241 metric tons; the equivalent of saving 259 homes’ electric use for one year.