Somerset Hills “SEEs” Positive Impact of Energy Conservation
by Nancy Lee Hunter, BA/Board Secretary, Somerset Hills School District
The Somerset Hills School District, (SHSD), located in Bernardsville, is a regionalized school district serving 2,065 students in pre-K through 12th grade, from four boroughs in Northern Somerset County. The district, which employs 300 certified and support staff, is comprised of three schools: an elementary school (PreK-4), a middle school (5-8), and a high school (9-12).
The district remains focused on meeting the needs of all students through a commitment to excellence and high academic standards through the delivery of a world-class educational program. Somerset’s focus on the development of the “whole-child” is reflected in scores well above average on both state and national assessments.
Although the district has been nationally recognized for academic excellence, it continually strives for improvement in all areas, which in today’s climate includes striving for cost savings and energy efficiencies in its facilities. In this regard, SHSD partnered with the Schools for Energy Efficiency Program ® (SEE) in late 2009 and became an Energy Star® partner in 2010. SEE, based in St. Paul, MN, was developed in 2002 by Hallberg Engineering, Inc., of White Bear Lake, MN.
Under the leadership of our SEE Coordinator, Mariel O’Brien, the district implemented energy conservation methods recommended by the SEE® program and thus was able to reduce its energy usage by more than 11% and avoid energy costs of over $79,000 in its first year in the program. In addition, Bernardsville Middle School has achieved a 75 rating and earned the prestigious Energy Star® label. Less than 1/3 of 1% of school districts in the United States have achieved this rating. The district’s energy efficiency progress is measured and tracked in both the SEE utility tracking and Energy Star portfolio software.
SHSD’s energy efficiency program involves no-cost and low-cost behavioral and operational strategies. Behavioral strategies, implemented by the students, teachers, and school building administrators, include turning off lights when not needed, closing doors to maintain temperature control, unplugging unused equipment, and turning off computer monitors and other electronics when not in use. Operational strategies include infrastructure improvements, maintenance and efficient operations of HVAC equipment, lighting efficiency upgrades, and identification of de-lamping opportunities in over illuminated areas.
SEE provided materials, such as posters, stickers, and progress charts to reinforce strategies. In addition, energy-themed curriculum materials were provided to educate students about energy use, energy sources, and the environmental impacts of energy savings. SEE activities include an energy-themed game show, a visit from the Energy Hog, and the formation of student-led “SEE” squads.
The Somerset Hills School District is very proud of its energy savings program. By following our progress through SEE® and Energy Star®, our students have learned that their actions can have a direct impact on the district’s energy efficiency goals as well as on the environment.
Nancy Lee Hunter, BA/Board Secretary for the Somerset Hills School District can be reached at or 908-204-1930 X1117.