HEMPSTEAD, Texas – With school budgets being cut all over Texas, Hempstead ISD, like many others, needed to find a way to upgrade their infrastructure without using any upfront capital. Fortunately, Way Companies’ Green Solutions Team was able to help the district replace their outdated lighting, inefficient and antiquated heating and air conditioning equipment, and provide Hempstead the necessary resources to better control its campus.
Gene Glover, Superintendent of Hempstead ISD, said, “Way has been able to fund in excess of one million dollars of equipment upgrades by using our current operational budget. The whole process has been simple and well-organized. We can’t say enough good things about the service and program Way delivered.”
According to the U.S. Department of Education, school-age children are at high risk of developing asthma, learning disabilities, and complications from exposure to toxic chemicals, because of environmental factors such as lighting, temperatures, and building ventilation. Senate Bill 12 and House Bill 3693 require all school districts to establish a goal to reduce annual electric consumption by five percent each fiscal year. Larger school districts have been using Performance Contracting programs to reach this goal, but the smaller districts often do not know about this tool.
Larry Jones, General Manager with the Way Companies, said, “We are excited that we were able to help Hempstead ISD create a better learning environment while cutting their operational budget. We understand the need for programs that positively impact schools without requiring upfront capital.”
The project was completed the first week of April and will generate $175,000 annually for 15 years. Way Companies guarantees the project will self-fund.
About Hempstead ISD
Encompassing 190 square miles, Hempstead ISD has one early childhood school, one elementary school, one middle school and one high school. Hempstead ISD is characterized by enormous change and improvements ranging from academics to facilities. The city of Hempstead is a community of approximately 5,000 people and is located 50 miles northwest of Houston.