Finance Facts
Cooperative Strategies Power Savings for Solon Schools
Jan. 31, 2025
As winter temperatures drop and home heating bills rise, it's a perfect time to highlight how the Solon City School district works to keep costs down for our community. Just like families shopping for the best deals on their home utilities and everyday purchases, the district actively seeks ways to maximize savings.
One key strategy is our long-standing partnership with the Ohio Schools Council, a cooperative that brings school districts together to secure volume discounts – think of it like a wholesale club membership, but for schools. This collaborative approach has generated significant savings across many areas, from school buses and security systems to software and energy costs.
Looking at the most recent Ohio Schools Council savings report, the district saved more than $81,000 through this partnership. The biggest savings came from natural gas costs ($67,138), followed by Zonar GPS systems ($9,501), our Safety Plan Program ($2,400), library media services through LEEMC ($1,171), and Legal Hotline Access ($825). In fact, since 2018, we've saved $179,648 on natural gas costs alone – savings that directly benefit our taxpayers.
Similar to how homeowners can shop for competitive energy rates, we also secure our electricity costs through open-market auctions. Our current rate is locked in for 36 months at a very competitive price, providing both savings and budget stability – just as many residents seek to do with their own utility bills.
The district has also taken a proactive approach to energy efficiency through carefully planned, multi-year transitions to LED lighting throughout our buildings and grounds. This initiative not only improves the quality of lighting in our classrooms and facilities but also reduces our energy consumption and maintenance costs. Just as many homeowners have discovered the benefits of switching to LED bulbs, this strategic upgrade represents another way we're investing in both environmental sustainability and fiscal responsibility.
These strategic purchasing decisions reflect our commitment to being responsible stewards of community resources while maintaining operational excellence.