Boothbay region schools will soon get a lighting upgrade from conventional lights to LED systems. Dec. 11, the Community School District (CSD) board of trustees approved an over half-million-dollar purchase from Affinity LED Light, LLC after months of consideration.

The project will replace most of the fluorescent and incandescent lights at the high school, middle-elementary school, administrative building, and sports fields with LEDs. The $539,067 lease purchase, with 4.87% interest, will be paid off in nine installments, according to the approved resolution. 

In previous meetings, board members expressed interest in the project to reduce long-term utility costs and recoup project costs. A timeline for recouped costs was not made available by publication. According to EnergyStar.gov, LEDs are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent lighting. In addition, according to a University of Michigan study, they are up to 44% more efficient than four-foot fluorescent tubes.  

“I think an 80% reduction in the power bill would be pretty welcome,” said trustee Troy Lewis.  

In other business, the board moved forward with a bid to replace aging fuel tanks at both schools. Trustees accepted a proposal from Portland Pump for $383,980, the lowest of two bids. The funds will come out of a $1.6 million priority repair bond voters passed earlier this year. 

The board also discussed the broken telephone system at the high school. According to trustee Darrell Gudroe, who is a technology support professional, the system is not repairable and will need to be replaced. Gudroe was able to provide the school with a wireless telephone system to help meet immediate needs. However, Principal Tricia Campbell said it is a temporary solution, and they cannot operate with it for long.   

Campbell also presented the trustees with a suite of donations to the school, which the board approved. She said Five Star Golf Carts from New York is willing to donate most of the cost of a cart for the school and athletic program, and Boothbay Harbor Country Club owner Paul Coulombe agreed to cover its transportation and the remainder of the costs. In addition, Campbell said the country club is willing to send a mechanic to service the cart.   

Campbell also said the Mildred H. McEvoy Foundation will fund the $50,000 replacement of high school gym and auditorium curtains. She said the current curtains are in a state of disrepair, detracting from performances and posing potential safety concerns.   

“We firmly believe that these stage curtains are essential investments in the educational and cultural fabric of our community,” she said in an email, adding that they support student development in the arts and public speaking as well as community events.  

Campbell also reported the school was awarded 20 mountain bikes, helmets and snowshoes, along with a storage unit, through the MaineHealth Community Health Improvement Fund. In addition, she said Education Boothbay will be providing a new tuba and flute for two band students, and a projector for the auditorium.