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Vestavia Hills City Schools

Learning Without Limits

Energy Improvements

VHCS Energy Improvements

Your State Grant Funding Dollars at Work to Create Modern, Comfortable Schools

Over the past three years, Vestavia Hills City Schools has received the Alabama Lieutenant Governor’s K-12 Capital Grant Program and Advancement and Technology Funds, which we are investing with local partner Schneider Electric to modernize and improve the efficiency of our facilities. Once current projects are complete, we will have invested over $15 million in state funds since 2022, saving the district an average of $1 million annually. Thanks to previous upgrades, we are receiving a federal rebate to fund new lighting at the soccer, track, and football stadium. All upgrades have been carefully planned to maximize funding and cover future steps.

 

Phase 1 Updates · Since 2022

  • Brighten classrooms and increase campus safety through interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades at Vestavia Hills High School
  • Enhance indoor air comfort with mechanical rooftop unit replacements at Vestavia Hills Elementary East
  • Replace existing chiller and cooling tower at Vestavia Hills High School to provide reliable cooling and comfort
  • Building upgrades at Pizitz Middle School (pre-2022)
  • Implement a smart building automation system to control comfort and efficiency at Vestavia Hills High School
  • Address capital plan with a new roof on 2 buildings of Vestavia Hills Elementary East

Phase 2 Updates · 2024 – Present

  • Brighten classrooms and increase campus safety through interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights, Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge, Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park, Vestavia Hills Elementary West, Liberty Park Middle School, Vestavia Hills High School and Vestavia Hills High School – Freshman Campus
  • Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied at the above campuses
  • Continue expansion of smart building automation system implementation to control comfort and efficiency at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park
  • Water conservation/submetering at Vestavia Hills High School to detect leaks and sewer charges to the irrigation system and cooling tower
  • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code

 

Click on a school facility below to learn more about upcoming improvements.

  • Beginning in May, Schneider Electric will start the installation of interior and exterior lighting upgrades at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights. Proper placement of fixtures and adequate light levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for our district. When work begins, it will be completed after school hours at night and on weekends until summer break. Day-time hours will begin during summer break Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made to classrooms while work is being done.

    Upgrades Include:

    • Installation of new LED flat panels to replace existing fluorescent troffer fixtures in classrooms and hallways
    • Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied
    • Installation of new LED luminaries in gyms to replace existing high-bay fluorescent fixtures
    • Replacement of exterior HID luminaries with LED luminaries to eliminate lag time and full visibility in outdoor areas
    • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code
       
  • Beginning in May, Schneider Electric will start the installation of interior and exterior lighting upgrades at Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge. Proper placement of fixtures and adequate light levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for our district. When work begins, it will be completed after school hours at night and on weekends until summer break. Day-time hours will begin during summer break. Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made to classrooms while work is being done.

    Upgrades Include:

    • Installation of new LED flat panels to replace existing fluorescent troffer fixtures in classrooms and hallways with occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied
    • Installation of new LED luminaries in gyms to replace existing high-bay fluorescent fixtures
    • New LED lighting and metal poles installed in the northern parking lot behind Dolly Ridge Elementary with photocell control
    • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code
       
  • Starting in May, Schneider Electric will start the installation of interior and exterior lighting upgrades at Vestavia Hills Elementary East. Proper placement of fixtures and adequate light levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for our district. When work begins, it will be completed after school hours at night and on weekends until summer break. Day-time hours will begin during summer break Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made to classrooms while work is being done.

    Upgrades include:

    • Installation of new LED flat panels to replace existing fluorescent troffer fixtures in classrooms and hallways
    • Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied
    • Installation of new LED luminaries in gyms to replace existing high-bay fluorescent fixtures
    • Replacement of exterior HID luminaries with LED luminaries to eliminate lag time and full visibility in outdoor areas
    • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code
       
  • Beginning in May, Schneider Electric will start the installation of interior and exterior lighting upgrades at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park. Proper placement of fixtures and adequate light levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for our district. When work begins, it will be completed after school hours at night and on weekends until summer break. Day-time hours will begin during summer break Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made to classrooms while work is being done.

    Upgrades Include:

    • Installation of new LED flat panels to replace existing fluorescent troffer fixtures in classrooms and hallways
    • Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied
    • Installation of new LED luminaries in gyms to replace existing high-bay fluorescent fixtures
    • Replacement of exterior HID luminaries with LED luminaries to eliminate lag time and full visibility in outdoor areas
    • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code
  • Starting in May, Schneider Electric will start the installation of interior and exterior lighting upgrades at Vestavia Hills Elementary West. Proper placement of fixtures and adequate light levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for our district. When work begins, it will be completed after school hours at night and on weekends until summer break. Day-time hours will begin during summer break Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made to classrooms while work is being done.

    Upgrades Include:

    • Installation of new LED flat panels to replace existing fluorescent troffer fixtures in classrooms and hallways
    • Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied
    • Installation of new LED luminaries in gyms to replace existing high-bay fluorescent fixtures
    • Replacement of exterior HID luminaries with LED luminaries to eliminate lag time and full visibility in outdoor areas
    • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code
       
  • Beginning in May, Schneider Electric will start the installation of interior and exterior lighting upgrades at Liberty Park Middle School. Proper placement of fixtures and adequate light levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for our district. When work begins, it will be completed after school hours at night and on weekends until summer break. Day-time hours will begin during summer break Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made to classrooms while work is being done.

    Upgrades Include:

    • Installation of new LED flat panels to replace existing fluorescent troffer fixtures in classrooms and hallways
    • Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied
    • Installation of new LED luminaries in gyms to replace existing high-bay fluorescent fixtures
    • Replacement of exterior HID luminaries with LED luminaries to eliminate lag time and full visibility in outdoor areas
    • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code
  • Beginning in May, Schneider Electric will start the installation of interior and exterior lighting upgrades at the Vestavia Hills High School Freshman Campus. Proper placement of fixtures and adequate light levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for our district. When work begins, it will be completed after school hours at night and on weekends until summer break. Day-time hours will begin during summer break Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made to classrooms while work is being done.

    Upgrades Include:

    • Installation of new LED flat panels to replace existing fluorescent troffer fixtures in classrooms and hallways
    • Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied
    • Installation of new LED luminaries in gyms to replace existing high-bay fluorescent fixtures
    • Replacement of exterior HID luminaries with LED luminaries to eliminate lag time and full visibility in outdoor areas
    • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code
  • At the end of March, Schneider Electric will start the installation of water upgrades at Vestavia Hills High School. Daytime work will begin on Saturday, March 23rd, and will be concluded at the end of Spring Break. Any work that is not completed during Spring Break will be completed after school hours at night. Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made to classrooms while work is being done.

    Upgrades Include:

    • Existing water closet flush and urinal valves will be replaced and upgraded
    • Installation of aerators, shower heads, and faucets
    • Installation of an air-cooled ice machine in the Training Room at the New Gym
    • Installation of utility-grade water meters on the main campus meter, cooling tower, and practice field irrigation system with monitoring software platform
  • Beginning in May, Schneider Electric will start the installation of interior and exterior lighting upgrades at the High School Softball Complex. Proper placement of fixtures and adequate light levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for our district. When work begins, it will be completed after school hours at night and on weekends until summer break. Day-time hours will begin during summer break Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made while work is being done.

    Upgrades Include:

    • Installation of new LED flat panels to replace existing fluorescent troffer fixtures
    • Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied
    • Installation of new LED luminaries to replace existing high-bay fluorescent fixtures
    • Replacement of exterior HID luminaries with LED luminaries to eliminate lag time and full visibility in outdoor areas
    • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code
  • Beginning in May, Schneider Electric will start the installation of interior and exterior lighting upgrades at the Board of Education. Proper placement of fixtures and adequate light levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment for our district. When work begins, it will be completed after school hours at night and on weekends until summer break. Day-time hours will begin during summer break Schneider Electric will ensure there will be no distributions made while work is being done.

    Upgrades Include:

    • Installation of new LED flat panels to replace existing fluorescent troffer fixtures in classrooms and hallways
    • Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on when spaces are unoccupied
    • Replacement of exterior HID luminaries with LED luminaries to eliminate lag time and full visibility in outdoor areas
    • Emergency egress/life safety upgrades to bring current lighting systems up to code