By Scott Brinton
The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District is making headway in its effort to "go green" by reducing waste and energy use in order to lower its electric bills and improve the environment, reported Dr. Henry Kiernan, the Central superintendent, at last Wednesday's Board of Education meeting.
Kiernan noted that each of the district's three high schools now has an active environmental club. Additionally, he highlighted an ongoing recycling campaign begun this school year at Kennedy High by Assistant Principal Jennifer Carne. Every club and group at Kennedy is involved in recycling on one level or another, Kiernan said. Recycling bins can now be found throughout the school.
"I was really pleased with what Kennedy did," Kiernan said. "I'm sure all of our students and schools will increase their efforts."
John Scalisi, the Bellmore-Merrick facilities and operations director, read through an Energy Reduction Report that the Central District Board of Education had asked him to compile. Scalisi noted that the district has worked since 1998 to lower its energy use, but has stepped up its efforts in recent years. For example, he said, the district had "occupancy sensors" installed in the schools in 2005. The sensors keep the lights on so long as there is movement in a room. When movement ceases, the lights go off.
Scalisi also said that the district has been in talks with the Long Island Power Authority since last year to install solar panels on the roof of Kennedy High School. The unit would produce 20 kilowatts of electricity. He said nothing is definite yet.
Ted Tanenbaum, the Central District board's vice president, wondered whether the district could convert its oil burners to dual-fuel models that could burn oil or natural gas, depending on which fuel is cheaper at the moment. Tanenbaum said the Bellmore Elementary School District has such units.
He also asked Scalisi to look into possibly installing windmills at each of the schools. Scalisi said LIPA was already looking into conducting a wind study to determine whether windmills were feasible in the area.
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