The Jasper County School District has been awarded $87,790 in federal stimulus funds by the South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s State Energy Office to make energy efficiency improvements at the Ridgeland and Hardeeville K-12 campuses.

The district will replace lighting fixtures in gymnasiums, high school cafeterias and elementary school multipurpose rooms throughout the county. The installation of magnetic switches on windows and doors will increase efficiency by keeping air conditioning off when windows and doors are open. The district will also reduce its energy bill by planting shady trees at all school locations and installing light sensors in main entrances.

“By making all of these improvements to the district’s six schools, Jasper County School District will see a significant decrease in utility bills as a result of greater energy efficiency,” said John Clark, director of the South Carolina Energy Office. “The district will save over $79,000 annually.”

The state’s 85 school districts are sharing $20.3 million in grants and loans for energy efficiency.  The state’s two- and four-year colleges are receiving a total of $12.2 million, and state agencies are getting $7.4 million for energy efficiency improvements.  Each entity’s allocation is based on the size of the organization’s energy bill.