OUSD Board Meeting Highlights from OEA

11/4/13 OUSD Trustees Meeting Highlights from OEA

Video of the meeting

Adriana Ayala and Angie Edwards recognized as teacher and classified employees of the month.

Item K. Monthly Budget and Enrollment Updates

Lottery funds to district was $27.000.00 and now decreased to $8,000.00. Also no longer have categorical funds. That money is now in the revenue limit line. $28 million has increased to $30 million under the funding formula.

Item K passed 5-0

Energy Audit: identify a series of energy efficiency projects; light controls

Looked at solar. Is recommending energy efficiency prior to a solar program. Prop 39 permits planning funding; Nov and Jan deadline. Orinda allocation = $500,000.

CA has a lot of ”classic” schools, meaning old. Calculated a savings to investment ratio.” Prop 39 will pay for some or all.” Trustee Butler asked if Prop 39 might address energy efficiency and solar. “Should be able to combine some of both.”

Trustee Butler asked about wall/roof insulation. One elem. in particular has higher energy utilization. Also asked about inoperable gym windows located near ceiling line. Has to do with air flow/circulation. Trustee Krumholz asked additional questions about gyms. Trustee Severson asked about lighting quality and about lighting cost contract shared between city and OUSD at WR .

Trustee Butler mentioned AC. The report indicates that adding air conditioning will markedly increase electricity costs, yet can be better integrated under solar. Trustee Butler returned to solar. Advantage to do school by school or all at once. Auditor recommended all at once due to bidding process. Also recommended best value vs lowest bid. There are some roof ballast systems and 80-90% of schools use shade structures in parking lots. Also asked questions about finance options.

A lengthy discussion among Trustees followed the report.

Adam Miller mentioned that solar opens positive options for AC. Under the A-10 tariff AC may have a disproportionate impact on electricity bills. Under A-6 tariff , solar reduces that demand. May be more cost effective to increase solar than replace windows/insulate. Without solar the cost of AC will be magnified. It is possible with a pre-paid PPA, a competitive price and well-designed systems, the IRR for solar is over 10% and payback is 9-10 years.

Steve Eydam pointed out that DR has different type of school furnaces that are inefficient. Steve wanted to affirm that teachers are not misusing energy. The school also has louvered windows that add to heat loss.

Facilities Task Report by Trustee Krumholz

Recommendations:

Temperature and indoor climate controls for classrooms, libraries, MPR, refurbish restrooms as needed, allocate a portion of the dollars to each school site for discretionary use ($00,000. per elementary, $200,000. to OIS, Wagner Ranch Nature Area will receive 1/3 of the elementary amount).

Transparency to public about how the funds are spent/appropriated,

Further investigation into funding solar at OIS,

Improve grounds to facillitate comfortable student environments (shade, rain cover, playground, lunch areas),

Address facilities projects in Appendix E of the Master Facilities Plan, June 2013

A lengthy discussion among Trustees followed the recommendations.

Trustee Severson attended a bus meeting and reported that bus ridership is up.

Trustee Krumholz attended the Diverse Abilities Open House and the Andy Schipper Parents’ Presentation.

Trustee Butler is part of the committee for the Advocacy Day in Feb.

Respectfully submitted by,

Colleen Sullivan

OEA VP