By BRETT BOGGS
Superintendent, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation

AKRON — Christopher Pieri, NIPSCO major accounts manager, recently presented Randy Dahms, Mentone Elementary School principal, and Todd Glenn, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation director of maintenance, with an energy savings rebate check for $3,725.

The rebate was for the first phase of an energy savings project at Mentone Elementary School. The project consisted of replacing inefficient fluorescent classroom lights with dimmable LED retrofit kits. The Little Vikings Preschool fluorescent lights were also replaced with new fixtures. The second phase of the project, which is presently underway, is the replacement of all “high bay” gymnasium lights with LED fixtures. This part of the project will provide an additional $4,500 energy savings rebate, making the total rebate $8,225.

Overall, the project will reduce affected area power consumption by more than 50 percent, provide a one-year payback, eliminate bulb replacements and  improve the quality of lighting for our students, staff and patrons.