Lebanon City Schools Launches Comprehensive District-Wide Energy Efficiency Project This Summer

Lebanon City Schools Launches Comprehensive District-Wide Energy Efficiency Project This Summer

This summer, Lebanon City Schools is launching a major district-wide energy efficiency project to upgrade HVAC controls and all interior lighting to LED. While many core aspects of this energy conservation project will go unseen by the public, its substantial impact will be realized immediately through massive annual energy-cost savings. Rather than pulling from the general operating fund or Permanent Improvement fund to pay for these changes, Lebanon City Schools is utilizing low-interest state loans to fund the upgrades. These specific state programs require guaranteed energy savings, meaning the project effectively pays for itself over time through the utility reductions it achieves. 

For the community, the biggest visible difference will be seen through the lighting aspect of the project, significantly improving day-to-day light levels while drastically slashing energy consumption. Partnering with Vista Consulting Group, a Lebanon-based company, the district will replace the traditional fluorescent bulbs currently in use to lower operational costs, reduce environmental impact, and create a more dynamic learning environment for students.

The sweeping upgrades will touch every building across the district, beginning with Lebanon High School this summer. The transition from fluorescent to LED inside district buildings will generate $209,832 in annual electrical savings and reduce maintenance and operational expenses by $13,900 annually. Once fully implemented, the entire energy efficiency project will save the district an estimated $415,267 annually in combined energy and operational costs.

In addition to interior spaces, all exterior lighting not previously updated will be converted to LED. A major aspect of the exterior project includes an overhaul of the lighting at VanDeGrift Stadium, which will significantly reduce ongoing maintenance and slash the stadium's operational energy footprint. 

The stadium lighting upgrades bring a drastic reduction in power consumption and a massive boost in functionality. The existing stadium field lights utilize 70 traditional 1,500-watt fixtures, drawing a massive 112,000 watts. The new LED system cuts power consumption exactly in half, drawing only 56,000 watts. Based on a typical annual usage of 2,800 hours, the cost to run the stadium lights will drop from $38,326 per year down to $19,163 per year. Furthermore, the new LEDs come with a 25-year warranty, completely eliminating stadium lighting maintenance and repair costs for the foreseeable future.

While the district is funding the core LED fixture replacements, an anonymous donor has generously expanded the project's scope at VanDeGrift stadium. This donation funds a specialized Musco Sports Lighting Show-Light system. The customizable system allows stadium lights to be tailored to multiple settings and distinct usages, and it gives the district the capability to run programmable light shows for games, ceremonies, and community events.

Beyond the Dollars: Educational and Behavioral Benefits

While the financial return on investment is clear, information provided by Vista and external educational studies show that the shift to LED will profoundly benefit student wellness and classroom performance.

According to research, upgraded lighting environments actively enhance student focus, behavior, and cognitive function. Traditional fluorescent lights produce micro-flickering, which causes eye strain, headaches, and visual processing fatigue. LEDs provide a completely steady, flicker-free stream of light. This steady, high-quality illumination prevents sensory overload, leading to improved behavior and reduced hyperactivity, particularly during transitions or among neurodivergent students. Studies in elementary school settings have shown that optimized LED lighting correlates with measurable increases in student reading speed, comprehension, and overall academic performance with fewer errors.

By modernizing its facilities, Lebanon City Schools is simultaneously acting as a responsible fiscal steward for taxpayers and investing directly in a healthier, brighter, and higher-performing environment for its students and educators.