PARIS — Maine School Administrative District 17 directors Monday approved a $1.54 million project to install energy-efficient LED lighting in six schools and three district buildings.

The unanimous vote followed a presentation by Energy Management Consultants on the process and benefits of conversion.

Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School and five elementary schools, Hebron Station, Otisfield Community, Oxford Elementary, Guy E. Rowe and Waterford Memorial, will switch to LED lights. Additionally, the MSAD 17 Central Office in Paris, Oxford school annex and Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School warehouse will also transition to LED fixtures.

Kayla Kunath, project manager for Energy Management Consultants, said the company audited about 6,100 lights and switches in school district buildings. Conversion work is slated to start by Oct. 16 and be completed in early December.

The systems will be platform based and utilize motion sensors to operate lighting only when rooms are occupied. Settings for each room will be based on student needs, allowing for strength of light to accommodate those with vision sensitivities or special needs.

The service contract is for 12 years. Company President Tom Seekins said that by the contract’s conclusion the financial savings will result in the overall project being self-funded.

Superintendent Heather Manchester distributed progress reports for each school summarizing monthly initiatives. The district has incorporated four elements into its overall strategic plans: healthy and resilient students; maximizing facilities to support learning; recruiting and growing talent; and rigorous, responsive and relevant learning.

The reports track attendance and discipline averages, programs and events to engage students and families with school staff such as open houses, training and professional development, and provide updates on curriculum, outdoor learning, field trips and other educational supports.

In her administrative report Manchester told the board that initial plans for the new classroom building at Roberts Farm in Norway came in overbudget and are being revised. The budget to construct a building to replace an aging modular unit is $890,000, using federal grant money. Oxford Hills voters approved accepting the grant during the school budget vote in June.

Student representative Brady Delamater told the board that Oxford Hills alum Tony Whitman will speak at the high school Tuesday. Whitman graduated in 1981 and works at NASA as project manager on the Roman Space Telescope program and was involved with preparing the Webb Space Telescope for use.

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