SUTTONS BAY -- Like many schools, Suttons Bay has had to make heavy budget cuts in the last few years. So to help reduce future cuts they're turning to the latest in green technology.
7&4's Kate Fox caught up with the Superintendent to find out how they're cutting costs.
Back in May, Suttons Bay Schools took advantage of a free energy-efficiency program. This is where licensed engineers did an energy audit and provided a detailed report of specific cost-effective improvements.
Now they're making those changes and expect to save thousands of dollars.
Suttons Bay Superintendent Mike Murray says, "It's a win-win situation going green. We know not only will it make a great place for students to be and a point of pride for the community but will save us money every single day of the year."
Suttons Bay Superintendent Mike Murray says the district is committed to creating spaces that are healthy, conducive to learning and save money.
Murray says, "Our plans are to keep the existing structure to keep the shells work with what we've got and make it better."
The transformation of the 1950's building has already started. First they changed out all the lighting to brand new energy efficient bulbs that are set to a motion detector. This is so if a hallway is empty for 10 minutes they shut off
Murray explains "the new ones provide more light, better contrast for reading for the students, and better color."
They also put the school's heating system on a timer-so it shuts off when the students leave at 2:30pm. These combined efforts have saved them over $30,000 dollars.
But Murray says they're not stopping there. He says, "By 2:40pm were cold in here, the heat just disappears out from here."
So he says plans are in the works to improve heat installation and that means replacing the single pane glass windows, installing new roofing and floors.
The out with the old theme continues as they plan to change out the 1970's plumbing system to efficient motion sensor sinks.
He explains, "It times when the water goes on and off but also will cut down on the spread of illness in the building because one of the biggest spots to spread germs in on plumbing fixtures.”
All of these plans will save a lot of money but right now they still have to get the funding to make it happen. Murray says instead of relying on tax payer dollars, they'll try to get the money from planning grants.
