Corey Butler Jr.
Posted: Thursday, November 20, 2008 10:52 pm

cbutler@faribault.com

FARIBAULT — Don Olson has been doing his studying.

As the new energy-efficiency coordinator for the Faribault School District, he’ll use his knowledge to visit district buildings and spread the good word of energy savings.

Last month, the school board approved district administrators to pursue a contract with the Schools for Energy Efficiency program, which is aimed to save a district at least 10 percent per year in energy costs. All but one participating district has met that goal and that district had a 9 percent savings.

District administrators have signed up for a two-year trial of the five-year program. Kevin Hildebrandt, director of buildings and operations, said the district will evaluate the results after two years to see if it will continue with the program.

Olson said it falls on his shoulders to make the program a success.




The first year will cost the district $36,800 for the program and $10,600 for Olson’s work for the remainder of the school year, which ends June 30. Doug Karnuth, certified manager with SEE, estimates the district will save $81,600 per year from the program. In year two, Olson will be paid $15,000 for an entire calendar year and the program cost will drop to $33,120.

The initial costs pay for materials, guidance and data reports, among other things.

If the district participates for the entire five years, the estimated savings total $174,760. If the district is able to cut 15 percent each year, the savings would be more than $378,000.

Colleen Mertesdorf, district director of finance and operations, said the district spends approximately $800,000 per year on utilities.

As a former college educator and two-term Rice County District 3 commissioner, Olson said he is ready for the challenge. He said he has spent plenty of time, both as a commissioner and resident of Rice County, researching energy issues. Among other things, he has studied water quality, wind turbines and nuclear power.

Hildebrandt said there were four applicants, and after Olson was pegged for the position, his crash course began. In the first year, Olson will spend time in the six buildings involved — Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt elementaries, Faribault Middle and High schools and the Area Learning Center — hanging posters and applying stickers on light switches and monitors to remind users to turn them off.

Education is the driving point of the program.

“The big thing is energizing the students and staff,” Olson said. “Here’s a program that deals with how we can influence behavior.”

The program has more than 350 ideas for Olson to implement, but following the plan is important so students and staff aren’t overwhelmed with information, Hildebrandt said.

Year two focuses on engaging those in the buildings. Mascots such as the Energy Hog visit classrooms and trivia games are played in the higher grades.

Olson said he looks forward to the role he will play in the district.

“I see this as a fun, exciting program with a lot of positive results,” he said.



— Staff writer Corey Butler Jr. may be reached at 333-3135.