Oglethorpe County School SystemSaving $7 Million to Create Opportunities for Students

Challenge

To avoid raising property taxes, Oglethorpe County Schools planned to postpone critical learning facility upgrades for 5 years. Without capital funds available, students and teachers would have to wait for the school system to fully pay off a bond. In the meantime, energy costs would continue to stress operational budgets, the needs of aging facilities would go unaddressed, and key educational initiatives would have to wait in line for capital.

Solution

ABM worked closely with district leaders to fund vital facility upgrades by creating significant energy and operational savings. ABM’s Energy Performance Contracting Program made it possible without the need for additional taxes.

“The customized solution ABM is delivering will help us make several large infrastructure and capital upgrades across the entire school system we may not have been able to fund for several years,” said Dr. Beverly Levine, Superintendent. “ABM’s expertise provided us with a financial solution to improve our students’ learning environment and athletic facilities.”

Oglethorpe County School System

Saving $7 Million to Create Opportunities for Students

Oglethorpe County School System is a public school system in northeast Georgia.

- 2,151 students
- 162 teachers
- Facilities Improved:
- High School
- Middle School
- Elementary School
- Primary School
- Board of Education Center
- Athletic Facilities
- Technology Center
- Family Connections
- Maintenance & Transportation Facilities

With projected savings in excess of $7 million over a 20-year period, the customized solution allowed the school system to upgrade facilities, including the creation of a performing arts classroom for the high school and improvements to athletic facilities.

Benefits

In addition to energy savings and infrastructure improvements, Oglethorpe was able to move forward on key needs for student engagement and achievement.

Upgrades to athletic facilities included new LED lighting systems for the baseball and softball fields at Oglethorpe County High School, allowing the school to host its first after-dark games. The project funded new scoreboards with revenue-generating advertising opportunities for the football and soccer stadiums. A new track was also included, plus renovations for field houses, concession stands, and bleachers.

The new performing arts classroom received flooring and ceiling replacements, as well as necessary modifications to the electrical system.

How Does It Work?

To cut costs without sacrificing educational opportunities, ABM’s Energy Performance Contracting Program tackles energy overspend in operating budgets, creating the opportunity to fund mission-critical facility needs and educational priorities.

Enhancements to learning spaces included:

- Retrofits for lighting systems using energy-efficient LED technology at eight facilities
- Upgrades for all HVAC systems, including replacements for seven rooftop units, six split systems, 17 packaged terminal units, two mini split units, and 71 wall-hung pump units at Oglethorpe County High School
- State-of-the-art HVAC control systems to maximize energy and operational efficiency for all school system HVAC units
- Each building sealed to support ventilation system upgrades
- Roofing repaired or upgraded at four facilities
- Water conservation systems and hand dryers installed across the entire school system

About ABM

ABM (NYSE: ABM) is a leading provider of facility services in the United States and various international locations. ABM’s comprehensive capabilities include janitorial, electrical & lighting, energy solutions, facilities engineering, HVAC & mechanical, landscape & turf, mission-critical solutions, and parking, provided through stand-alone or integrated solutions. ABM provides custom facility solutions in urban, suburban, and rural areas to properties of all sizes - from schools and commercial buildings to hospitals, data centers, manufacturing plants, and airports. ABM Industries Incorporated, which operates through its subsidiaries, was founded in 1909. For more information, visit [ABM.com](https://www.abm.com).