GREENE — SAD 52 was first runner-up in the Comprehensive Project category in the New England Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers competition, Superintendent Henry Aliberti said at a school board meeting Thursday.

The district faced some stiff competition, including Harvard University, he said.

The award was earned for the district’s success in completing its energy savings performance contract. The goal of the contract was to significantly reduce energy and operating costs and make progress toward meeting federal sustainability goals. 

Aliberti showcased a framed certificate from the New England Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers and thanked the members of the Siemens Team for their work on the project.

Deb Roberts, Kim Long, Chairwoman Elizabeth Bullard, and Assistant Superintendent Thomas Ambrose had accepted the award at the awards ceremony on May 4 in Waltham, Mass., where Long wished Harvard, “Better luck next time.”

SAD 52 increased energy efficiency by 35 percent, compared to Harvard’s 21 percent. Bullard illustrated the magnitude of the project, noting that 3,000 light fixtures had been changed out to more efficient models.

The Association of Energy Engineers is a nonprofit professional society that promotes sustainable energy.

In other business, Turner Selectman Ralph Caldwell and Chairman Kurt Youland were in attendance because of their continuing interest in the sale of a 73-acre parcel to Greene. Turner selectmen oppose the deal because they consider the price to be well below fair market value. Forty-five minutes into the meeting, the board went into executive session to discuss the matter.

During the break, both Youland and Caldwell confirmed that Turner has filed a lawsuit to stay the sale of the land in question.

When the school board returned to the room, Bullard said the board did not wish to take any action at this time and thanked the board members from Greene, Leeds and Turner for their “spirit of cooperation,” noting they would have to “stay tuned” for more information on the issue.

Also Thursday, Karen Potvin presented the administrative report and said the district will be transitioning from iPads to Chromebooks. The state of Maine has mandated that technologies be “refreshed,” and school districts can choose an upgraded iPad platform, or decide to upgrade to a laptop platform.

The district chose the laptop because of its keyboard functionality, as many educational software programs cannot be used without a keyboard.

Students in SAD 52 will begin to learn computer coding as early as age 5, according to Potvin, because they have developed a new computer curriculum. The new program will progress with the students in grades K-12.

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