The Governing Board of the Newhall School District has approved nsd's participation in SCE's Summer Discount Plan for all buildings in the district. This is similar to the program offered for residential customers, allowing SCE to turn off our air conditioning for defined periods of time between June and October in the event that there is a power emergency in California. In return SCE estimates a guaranteed savings of over $100,000 on the district's electrical bill.
SCE has not implemented this measure in the Santa Clarita Valley in the last three years. When it has occurred it has usually been late afternoons. Acknowledging that it may cause some discomfort for staff and students, the district's board felt that it could not ignore the cost savings as it faces another year of huge budget reductions in 2010-11.
In the event of a shut down, air circulation in buildings will continue but the cooling element of the air conditioning units will shut down. Principals developed the following list of strategies that would be employed in the event of a shut down.
• Portable buildings have windows that open and a door, providing cross ventilation
• Sites would make use of shade structures, covered walk ways, and trees for outdoor
shade
• Students would be reminded to drink lots of water
• Lights will be turned down (or off), making the rooms seem cooler
• Students would be maintained in rooms within main building rooms, and doors would be
kept closed. The cool air that is already in the room for the A/C will stay in the room longer.
• Students from second floor rooms would be moved to first floor locations
• Students would be moved to larger rooms (like the MPR) where cool air will remain for a
longer period of time
• Outdoor lunch shade structures with misting systems would be used, where available
• Fans would be used where available
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