A Track Record of Success: DeKalb County Schools Creates Future-Ready Facilities

How a long-term partnership with Schneider Electric enables DeKalb County Schools to achieve its student health, campus safety and budget efficiency goals

In 2018, DeKalb County Schools, an Alabama school district, and Schneider Electric began implementing major upgrades to the district’s facilities.

Funded through a guaranteed energy savings performance contract (ESPC), the district tackled their most pressing challenges: a prohibitive backlog of deferred maintenance and a critical need for modern energy and security equipment. Together with Schneider Electric, the district implemented energy and operational saving technologies, such as a building automation system, that reduced costs by 29% and allowed the savings to be applied to new gate access, security fencing, entrance vestibules and updated badge system.

That successful initial partnership has grown into 6 additional phases of facility improvements across the entire district. Here's a look at all of the advancements DeKalb County Schools has successfully made (so far!)

Embracing solar energy and energy efficiency

DeKalb County Schools has implemented a comprehensive set of modernizations aimed at reducing energy use, optimizing operations, and addressing aging systems. Altogether, these modernizations have created a 29% reduction in energy and operational expenses.

Notable achievements include energy efficient LED lighting upgrades across the district, plus an overhaul of HVAC equipment at 17 district campuses to meet the latest EPA Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) code while maximizing efficiency and occupant comfort. Other achievements:

Building Automation System implementation -
Building Envelope improvements
Mechanical equipment replacement -
Window replacements and redesign

The district recently announced that their next move will be to harness solar energy. Planned rooftop solar panel arrays at Plainville High School will eliminate 46% of the utility bill at the school.

Making mission-critical safety and security upgrades

The district has recaptured budget dollars from their energy efficiency projects and reinvested them where it matters most to their students and staff: safety and security.

“Safety and security have always been a top priority here at DeKalb County Schools,” said Superintendent Wayne Lyles. “We needed a partner in our modernization initiatives who could take a strategic approach to meet our needs.”

DeKalb County Schools worked with Schneider Electric to develop and implement a comprehensive suite of physical safety measures, allowing for control of all vehicle and human traffic on district campuses. Updates included a keycard entry system for staff, network-controlled vehicle gates, video monitoring, and new security vestibules. These technologies help students, parents, and staff alike focus less on potential threats and more on their critical mission of education.

Partnering with Schneider Electric

Using our credentials as the #1 ESCO in the US, Schneider Electric has successfully implemented ESPC projects with over a third of the K-12 school districts across the state of Alabama. Nationwide, the company has successfully implemented over 1000 ESPC projects, saving public sector partners more than $4 billion. To learn more, visit our K-12 Education Hub.