In January 2010, the School District completed a energy audit and improvement plan on Stewart Elementary in order to make the project "shovel ready." The basic framework for the energy improvements was completed in a district-wide facility improvement plan in 2009 that totaled $35 million, including the construction of a new high school building. A new high school is expected to be completed in 2012, paid for with sales tax revenues.
In November, 2009, the School District received a $200,000 grant award from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation to use as local match toward state and federal funding sources for energy improvements.
In late February, the City of Washington and School District received short notice through the Washington Economic Development Group about the March 5 deadline for the Iowa Office of Energy Independence's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). The City agreed to be the applicant on behalf of the School. Interim School Superintendent, David Sextro, and Curriculum Director, Veta Thode completed the on-line grant submission with just minutes to spare before the 4pm deadline that Friday.
The EECBG is a federal Dept. of Energy program administered in Iowa by the OEI. This special round of funding came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
After two weeks of discussion and answering questions with the OEI, school district business manager, Jeff Dieleman learned March 22nd that the project had been awarded $1 million grant in EECBG funds, the largest award in the state.
In addition, the OEI has awarded the school district $738,000 in special financing through the BEST program (formerly the Iowa Energy Bank). This state bond allows the energy cost saved by implementing energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy options to pay for improvements. "Money and energy saved is an investment in Iowa’s buildings."
David Sextro, Mayor Sandra Johnson, and Ed Raber of the Washington Economic Development Group were excited to be able to publicly announce the huge grant award later that evening to the 230 community leaders at the Annual Dinner of the Chamber of Commerce, Washington Economic Development Group, and Main Street Washington.
The School District plans to pay the balance of the project cost with sales tax revenues rather than property tax.
The planned improvements at Stewart Elementary include:
- Replacing the aging boiler system with a closed-loop geothermal heating and cooling system. Most of the existing school is not currently air conditioned.
- Replace windows with new energy efficient models.
- Replace lighting with energy efficient models.
In February, Ted Stewart was recognized by KCRG Channel 9 as one of their "9 Who Care," which annually honors exemplary volunteers in Eastern Iowa. Mr. Stewart helps 2nd and 3rd graders at Stewart with math each day. Mr. Stewart's father donated the land to the school district for an elementary school, and Stewart Elementary is named after him.
The students at Stewart Elementary are the big winners.
