A local school board will turn to an outsider to help cut its energy bill.
The Greater Essex County District School Board approved a plan Tuesday night to create a contract position for an energy consultant.
The person hired will be responsible for overseeing the district's automation systems, which control heat and air conditioning in all school buildings as well as security cameras and card access devices. The board says an effective automation system contributes to 30% of the total energy savings realized.
Alan Cook, the district's manager of facility services, says they are looking for a person with specific qualifications to manage those systems and help the district cut energy costs.
"We've tried different ways in the past to manage that, either through a contractor or some in-house staff," says Cook. "We've struggled over the last few years. We recognize that we now need a dedicated person, at least for a few years ahead."
Cook says the energy savings the district would generate would pay for the position and it would not cost additional money.
With six new schools slated to be built and upgrades needed for automation systems, Cook says it has become too much for current district staff to handle. He also says dedicated energy staff are becoming common in districts across the province.
"Every board does it a little bit differently, but most boards have a dedicated staff towards energy," says Cook. "And then they rely sometimes on outside third parties to give them advice."
The energy consultant would be hired for a three-year term with a contract subject to yearly renewal. The hiring process has yet to be determined by the board's human resources department.
