Trane Representatives Justin Edward Page and Jimmy Arnold delivered strong savings news to Christian County Public Schools leaders Thursday night — showing their partnership has been at the benefit of the district’s pocketbook.
Page noted that since entering into a 2015 agreement, Trane has helped CCPS save 32% in electricity and other energy costs.
In fact, every campus in the district has experience energy savings per square foot except one, Crofton Elementary School, while Hopkinsville Middle School and Gateway Academy have realized the biggest conservation efforts.
And since January 2016, Page said CCPS has been operating either at, or well below, the national average.
Freedom Elementary, Page added, is in the middle of its Energy Star certification.
CCPS unfortunately didn’t qualify for the “Renew America” grant last year, but Arnold said new underwriting may make it so in 2024, with Superintendent Chris Bentzel adding it would help secure new HVAC systems for the district.
Arnold also commented on Crofton Elementary. From Butler County, he remembered a 2002 walkthrough of the school, which led to a near copy-and-paste of the facility back home.
In other board news:
— Dr. Jason Wilson, district technology coordinator, presented Chris Tyson Renshaw her 2024 KET All-Star Award.
A digital learning coach for CCPS, the honor is an initiative made possible by KET’s John R. Hall Endowment for Education, which honors excellence in teaching, and fosters positive outcomes between students and teachers through KET’s mission.
— Under the advisement of the district’s Gifted and Talented Teacher Shannon Slate, Christian County Middle School students Charles Hobson and Katie West shared their competitive National History Day presentation, in what was the defense of a historical argument for the efforts and legacy of Dr. Philip Carruthers Brooks.
Slate said the work helps students become better critical thinkers, using primary and secondary resources, while developing research skills.
Hobson relayed a brief nugget about Brooks’ background.
Several CCPS students, Slate added, are advancing to state competition.
— Nicole Poindexter, the district’s new Full-Service Community Schools coordinator through the Prichard Committee, said she is creating collaborative combined leadership meetings. Open to the public, the dates: March 25, April 23, and May 7. There will also be local leadership meetings, consisting of her, her Prichard coach, principals from Christian County High School and Freedom Elementary, FRYSC directors, as well as a parent and community participant.
The $65,000 over the next five years will help bring in new “pipeline services” for the schools, ranging from family and community involvement, high-quality early childhood education programs, transition between schools, social health and nutrition, and more.
— Dr. Melanie Barrett, director of pupil personnel, requested, and was granted, graduation be set for Friday, May 17. It will once again be at Stadium of Champions. Hopkinsville High School is at 5 PM. Christian County is at 8:30 PM.
