POLK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

BARTOW - Polk's penny pinching saves green in the pocket and perhaps green in the plants.

For the third year in a row, the Florida Department of Education has recognized the Polk County School Board for having the lowest energy consumption of any school district in the state.

Bob Williams, assistant superintendent of facilities and operations, said it all began in 1991 when Polk began an aggressive energy management program to eliminate all unnecessary energy usage. He said since that time, the district has saved roughly $49 million.

"I'm so impressed by this number," Board Chairwoman Margaret Lofton said.

Williams said the district has had some dramatic successes.

"Since 1991, we've increased our air conditioning square footage by 53.7 percent," he said. "During that time, our energy consumption has increased by only 21.4 percent."

He said the district is actually using less water today than it did in 1991.

The state said the Polk County School District spent roughly 75 cents on energy per square foot of its property. By comparison, Osceola County spent $1.43 per square foot and Orange County spent $1.20. The state average was $1.31.

Williams said the savings weren't just financial. He said the district's energy reductions have the same impact as taking 4,294 cars off the road each year or planting 131,200 acres of forest per year.

Superintendent Gail McKinzie thanked Williams and his staff for their work, as well as the teachers and administrators who actually turn off the lights or the faucets at the schools.

"It's something to be very proud of," she said.

Andrew Dunn can be reached at andrew.dunn@theledger.com or 863-802-7588.