Going green at Reeths-Puffer

Green thinking has fit in well with the Reeths-Puffer School District Lean thinking process. Through an energy management program the district implemented, the system has saved more the $500,000 over the past 30 months.

Superintendent Stephen Cousins explained that the management program included actions as simple as placing power strips in classrooms to ensure that all of the electrical equipment is turned off at night, to larger steps such as recalibrating the automated heating system. Other energy-savings actions included closing shades in the evenings, reducing day time light bulbs in the school hallways and shutting buildings down over school breaks.

"In the first year alone, by shutting off computers and lights each night, we saved $120,000,” Cousins said, adding that future initiatives will include recycling paper and copying ink.

"These steps help not only our budget but the environment,” he said. “And it gives you a clear picture of how much we were using that really wasn’t necessary. It’s the basic principle of Lean thinking in action."