Amherst Schools
Energy savings to continue
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

The Amherst Board of Education agreed to continue the district's energy savings program at its Jan. 9 meeting.

Since starting the program five years ago with Energy Education, the district has saved over $1 million by turning the heat down or off when the buildings are unoccupied during weekends, evenings and holidays.

Mark Whyle, the district's director of administrative services, said the district has avoided $250,000 in utility bills, including more than 26 percent of its fuel bill.

Whyle said the heat is turned on during parts of the weekend only if there are multiple events going on at the same time because it costs between $50 to $100 per hour depending on the outside temperature. When the temperature outside is below 31 degrees and the buildings are unoccupied, the temperature inside can drop to the mid 50s. It's set at 67 degrees when school events are in session.

While the program has saved the district money, it has also hurt some athletic teams.

Amherst boys basketball coach Mike Chatelle said his annual basketball tournament held every year at the high school over holiday break was cancelled because the district did not want to pay for heating and overtime for custodial staff.

"I was under the impression that we didn't get support from the administration and the board," said Chatelle in a phone interview on Sunday. "(Athletics Director) Nancy Riccio told me we weren't having a tournament."

At the meeting, board member David Dengler said he was asked by a resident if canceling the tournament was a board decision, to which he replied, "I don't know where that came from."

Canceling the tournament also cost the boys basketball team two home games. In addition, Chatelle had to cut short a third practice during holiday break because it was too cold.

"I didn't feel it was conducive to practice," he added. "The kids had to wear sweatshirts."

Boys volleyball coach Michael Belle-Isle said the district tried to cancel his JV tournament at the high school after the October storm this past fall, but after several requests to Riccio and acting Superintendent Paul Wietig, his tournament, which is paid for completely by the team's fundraising efforts, went on as scheduled.

Belle-Isle does not know why his tournament was almost cancelled but said if heating costs become a reason to cancel it in the future he would be willing to pay a set fee.

"I'm not going to get rid of a tournament that's good for the kids and the section because we want to save a few dollars on heating," said Belle-Isle in a phone interview.

Amherst wrestling coach Dennis Bauer said heat only becomes an issue if custodial staff is not there.

"If custodial staff is there, it's at a certain temperature but when they're not there and we practice, often times than not, it's colder," he also said in a phone interview. "But we're talking about very few days."

The next board meeting is set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the district office in the back of Amherst Middle School, 55 Kings Hwy. The Feb. 6 meeting has been moved to Feb. 13.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com