The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized School District 49 as an ENERGY STAR(r) Leader for achieving a 20-point increase in the district’s performance rating. Falcon surpassed the 20-point mark last fall, making it the first school district in the nation to achieve this milestone. The district has improved the energy efficiency of its buildings by more than 11 percent district-wide since the 2000-2001 school year. Over the past five years, the district has avoided more than $1.1 million in energy costs. The money saved is equivalent to the salaries of 33 entry-level teachers.Falcon School District has improved its energy efficiency since 1997. Improvements included the installation of a district-wide building automation system, high efficiency lighting and motion sensors, electric to gas heating conversions, condensing boilers, and high-efficiency motors. The net result has been a 33-percent reduction in the district’s energy use. The district’s Educational and Environmental Quality Committee has been the driving force behind the district becoming an ENERGY STAR(r) Leader.
