Rowland Heights, CA - Students of Rowland Unified School District (RUSD) are returning to upgraded school campuses following a districtwide energy infrastructure update that took place over summer break.

The infrastructure modernization and efficiency initiative is a collaboration among RUSD administration, RUSD’s Board of Education and Climatec to improve district facilities and reduce energy consumption. Through four thoughtfully-sequenced phases, Climatec has worked hand-in-hand with the District over the last three years to implement districtwide LED lighting, modernized heating and cooling equipment throughout the majority of schools and air conditioning in multipurpose (MPR) and gym facilities.

“When our Board of Education learned how much we could save, support the environment, and most importantly, impact our students’ comfort and learning, it unanimously voted to pursue this opportunity,” said RUSD Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Alex Flores. “We also found great success with our partner, Climatec, who helped our staff develop a holistic approach that’s unique to the needs of both our campuses and students. Our plan has been to improve RUSD schools from all angles.”

To date, Climatec has completed Phases 1 and 2, which focused on implementing LED lighting and replacing antiquated heating and cooling systems. Phase 3, which is underway and projected for completion in early 2020, calls for the installation of air conditioning in MPR and gym facilities that exclusively have heating equipment. The District pursued the installations to combat the escalating number of hot days in the San Gabriel Valley over time. Once Phase 3 is complete, students can expect greater comfort during events and sports games held in theirMPRs and gyms.

The project’s three phases represent an $11.6-million investment by RUSD to improve the quality of its schools, signaling a commitment to environmental stewardship. Combined, the energy infrastructure improvements will generate more than $14 million in energy savings and help the District counteract rising utility costs on the General Fund in the coming years.

But to Flores, RUSD is gaining more than financial savings: “This program is a fiscally-prudent, energy-efficient solution that supports student learning and environmental health,” he continued.“We’re especially eager for the new rooftop and wall-mounted HVAC units that are going to make RUSD’s gyms and MPRs much more comfortable for students to enjoy–and that’s without significant energy expenditure. As a District, we’re proud to reduce our carbon footprint and raise awareness about that cause with our student body.”

Environmental savings are equivalent to 2,218,375 kilowatt hours saved, 311 cars off the road,68,906 gasoline gallons saved, 44,368 trees preserved and 222 American homes powered.

“Rowland Unified School District is one of many California K-12 organizations leading the way in innovation,” said Climatec Public Sector Director Ashley Cascio. “The project is bolstering these schools from the outside, in. It is the initiative of school leaders, like those of Rowland Unified, that is molding young people’s minds with an awareness of the environment’s health and solutions to improve it.”

About Rowland Unified School District

The award-winning Rowland Unified School District is nestled in the San Gabriel Valley. Its passionate educators embrace new technology and work collaboratively to provide innovative learning for all students, staff, and parents. RUSD’s programs are innovative in the use of technology, focus on college and career readiness, and prepare students to be creative problem solvers. Additionally, it offers a medley of Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), GATE, AVID,International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools, Career Pathways, Dual Language Immersion schools, Music, Art and Athletic enrichment opportunities for students to enjoy. For more information visit www.rowlandschools.org.