D57 rewarded for energy work

District 57 has received a $64,000 grant from the State of Illinois for energy savings realized as a result of lighting improvements at Lincoln Middle School and Westbrook School for Young Learners. The work on internal and external lighting was completed last summer, with the district installing lights that use 40 percent less energy. The grant is part of a program that provides incentives for increasing energy efficiency in public-sector buildings, such as schools. “We chose to make the lighting changes in order to save money in the long term and protect the community’s investment in our buildings,” said Superintendent Elaine Aumiller. “It’s great that we already are seeing a benefit from those projects.” District 57 potentially could save up to $30,000 annually, it believes.