By Michele Steinbacher msteinbacher@pantagraph.com NORMAL -- Unit 5’s energy conservation program is proving a real cost-saver, the director of the program said. During the 2005-06 school year, the district would have spent about $915,025 without the plan, said Bruce Boswell, who directs the program. “Our goal was to save money,” he said, noting the savings came in the form of avoiding extra costs. Besides energy, reports on district technology, architectural strategic plans, and enrollment projections also filled Wednesday’s school board meeting. The board also voted to change some fall meeting dates, and to install a security system at Normal Community West High School. The next board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Colene Hoose Elementary School on Vernon Avenue, Normal. Energy — The district’s Energy CAP (cost avoidance program) uses software to collect and compare data on Unit 5’s energy billing and usage. The program takes into account a variety of factors including weather, building sizes, billing-period lengths, utility rate changes and other adjustments. Boswell offered a breakdown of diesel, electric, natural gas, and water/sewer costs. All but diesel saw cost savings, he said. In all, the district spent more than $2.87 million on energy. But, the cost would have been nearly $3.79 million. Tim Flynn, of Energy Education Inc., said his company typically sees about 15 percent cost savings the first year using the program, so Unit 5’s result of more than 24 percent is impressive, he said. Flynn also praised Unit 5 custodial staff for implementing the plan.