New Bloomfield Schools prepare for lighting overhaul

New Bloomfield R-III Schools' light bulbs - 847 of them - will shine brighter when students arrive for the 2014-2015 school year.

The New Bloomfield Board of Education approved for Facility Solutions Group (FSG), a lighting, electric and energy company from St. Louis, to be the project manager for a summer lighting project to update and replace old lighting district wide.

FSG will seek bids for the district and help the board select the best fit for the project. Once a contractor is selected, FSG will manage the contractor for the district.

A representative from FSG said school districts make up 95 percent of the company's client base.

New Bloomfield Schools received a $132,360 loan from the Missouri Department of Economic Development at a 2.5 percent interest rate for new energy-efficient lighting.

A representative from FSG estimated costs for materials and labor will amount to $132,360 and annual energy savings will total to $26,137 based on kilowats and demand rates of light bulbs. Annually, FSG estimated, the district will need to pay back $25,482 for the loan.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.