The New Lenox District 122 school board is exploring a unique financing method for energy conservation projects.
Officials will begin negotiating a contract with Westchester-based Unicom under which the company would arrange financing for a number of projects. The school would repay loans out of savings realized in energy and operating costs.
“Top priority” projects are a new electric switching gear, a boiler and vents at Tyler School, said Larry Surges, director of buildings and grounds.
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Fixing Tyler School’s heating system now could avoid a breakdown like one that shut Bentley School in January, Supt. Tom Mullins said.
“The purpose is to find a way to finance this so we don’t have these heavy-duty spikes where something goes out and we don’t have the money (to fix it),” Mullins said.
Other possible upgrades include cost-effective lighting at Tyler, Bentley, Haines and Oakview Schools, replacing the boiler at Oakview and renovating Bentley’s bathrooms, drinking fountains and parking lot.