News from the Superintendent: November 30, 2010

November 30, 2010

Good afternoon.

I hope you and your families enjoyed a restful and very happy Thanksgiving.

Now that it’s gotten cold outside, at least for the time being, we’re keeping our schools warm and relying on lights longer as the days get shorter. Like everything else, energy use costs money. In the interest of conservation and cost savings, we’re looking into ways to be more efficient in our energy use.

Please be clear that I don’t mean that I’m asking everyone to dial down to 63 degrees; I’m saying this is one area where we can make meaningful, conscious changes to the way we do things, and there can be benefit beyond the bottom line.

APS has had the successful Energy STARS program for a number of years. The more than 50 schools involved in the program teach students about energy conservation and receive rebates from PNM based on their calculated energy savings each year. Some rebates reach in the thousands of dollars.

Now, we’re thinking above and beyond the STARS. Our new building construction is more “green” and will save the district money over the long haul, for example. We’re trying to think outside the box on this one, and we’re even bringing in a consultant to help us find ways to be more efficient. The consultant will only be paid based on what we save.

Maybe you can see places that we can be more energy efficient. If so, please send it along to superintendent@aps.edu. I welcome your ideas.

Now that we’ve passed Thanksgiving and begin thinking about the holiday season, I wanted to let you know that the APS Education Foundation, which runs the district’s United Way employee campaign, reports that we are only a few thousand dollars from reaching our record mark from 2009.

If you would still like to give, there is time – even if you’ve lost or turned in your form. Just contact Phill Casaus, the executive director of the Foundation, at 878-6165, or casaus@aps.edu, and he’ll get a form to you.

But you need to act quickly. For payroll purposes, we need to have pledges in by the end of this week.

I know you hear a lot from us about the campaign. But it’s a great way to help our community, and we can make a statement to the entire city by having another successful year – even when economic times are hard.

On behalf of the kids and colleagues you’re helping, thanks so much.

Have a great week.

Winston Brooks
Superintendent