Agenda Item
iv. Work Order ~ Georgia Power Company ~ Lighting Services -Georgia Power Company MSA Energy-Related Equipment Sale and Installation ~ Phase I Interior Lighting Package (Not to Exceed $2,872,951)
Summary: Presented by: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the work order to Georgia Power Company under the Georgia Power Company’s Master Service Agreement for Energy Conservation Measures for the Phase 1 Interior LED Lighting Upgrade, not to exceed $2,872,951.
Why: Approval of the Work Order will allow Georgia Power to upgrade interior lighting at the schools identified in Phase 1 of the Energy Conservation Services Agreement- Lighting Survey, in the effort to upgrade the necessary lighting in classrooms and spaces within the schools.
Details: At its business meeting on Monday, May 12, 2025, the Board approved DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) participation in Georgia Power’s Energy Conservation Measure Service utilizing the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) Request for Proposal (“RFP”) C21-03. The partnership with Georgia Power has allowed DCSD to use the Energy Conservation Service Agreement to obtain the services of upgrading LED lights within our schools. The approved work order will be used under the Master Services Agreement for Energy-Related Equipment Sale and Installation.
Phase 1 Schools:
Bob Mathis Elementary
Browns Mill Elementary
Chapel Hill Elementary
Columbia Elementary
Stephenson Elementary
Princeton Elementary
Rock Chapel Elementary
Shadow Rock Elementary
Wadsworth Magnet at Knollwood ES
Huntley Hills Elementary
Stone Mountain Elementary
Marbut Elementary
Montgomery Elementary
Lithonia Middle
Woodward Elementary
Redan High
Redan Middle
Snapfinger Elementary
Sustainability: Benefits to upgrading to LED Lights
The schools identified in Phase 1 of the Lighting Survey Audit were selected as these schools currently utilize T12 Fluorescent bulbs. The production of T12 bulbs has been phased out due to federal energy efficiency regulations favoring T5s and LED lighting. For the District, T12s are essentially discontinued, and will be replaced with more modern, efficient LED lighting.
Details on T12 Fluorescent Bulbs:
Federal Ban (2012): The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) mandated an end to the production and import of most T12 lamps and magnetic ballasts, citing energy inefficiency.
Energy Efficiency: T12s are outdated; T8, T5, and especially LEDs offer better performance, lower energy use, and less heat.
State-Level Bans: Several states (like CA, OR, WA, NJ, etc.) have enacted their own bans on the sale of fluorescent lighting, accelerating the transition away from T12s and other types.
Supply Issues: Because manufacturing stopped, finding new T12 bulbs, starters, and ballasts has become difficult and expensive, with prices often tripling.
Replacement Focus: The industry is focused on retrofitting T12 fixtures to use LED tubes, which offer significant long-term savings.
The Division of Operations recognized the need to upgrade all rooms and spaces within our schools to LED lighting. This is in alignment with DCSD Board Policy EBL - Environmental Programs, adopted 07/14/2008, that calls for a comprehensive Lighting Energy Audit and subsequent implementation of a conservation and improvement plan.
Financial impact: The total budget of $2,872,951 for this project is allocated from the cost code (100.2600.543009.00011.7520.9990.8013.040.0000) under the Division of Operations General Fund Budget.
Contact: Mr. Erick Hofstetter, Chief Operating Officer, Division of Operations, 678.676.1470
Mr. Hans G. Williams, Director of Planning & E-SPLOST Programming, Division of Operations, 678.676.1588
Mr. Bobby Moncrief, Director of Facilities, Division of Operations, 678-676-1478
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Making Energy Simple
for DeKalb County Schools
LED Lighting Survey
January 6, 2026
1
Today’s Conversation
LED Lighting Survey Aduit
Approach/Deliverable- Phase 1 (18
Schools)
Overview of Survey/Analysis of
DCS Lighting Phase 1
GPC Value Proposition/ Cash
Proforma
Our Path Forward
2
Lighting Survey Audit Approach & Deliverable
Detailed Audit :
• Number of fixtures by Room/Area Type/Building
• Action or Non-Action if existing LED; Convert to LED
• Provide Spec Sheets on each LED Solution
• Maintain DCS/IES Standards
Analysis to include:
• Project Cost per Building for LED Conversion
• Energy and Operational Savings
• ROI/Simple Payback per Building
• Hours of Operation used per Building
• $/kilowatt (kWh) hour
• Georgia Power Rebates
• Annual financial cost based on estimated interest
rates
3
DeKalb County School District Phase 1
urvey/Proposal Timeline
4
LED Lighting Phase 1 Mapped
5
Phase 1: LED Lighting Survey Findings/ Overview
LED Lighting Fixture Family Existing Footcandle Levels
Existing Qty of Proposed Qty of Media
School Name Hallway Cafeteria Classrooms Gym Center
Fixture Family Fixtures Fixtures
Bob Mathis Elementary 25 - 65 FC 35 - 40 FC 40 - 55 FC 30 - 45 FC 45 - 55 FC
Troffer 1x4 (Fluorescent) 104 104
Troffer 2x2 (Fluorescent) 165 165 Browns Mill Elementary 55 - 115 FC 45 - 55 FC 30 - 40 FC 90 - 100 FC 40 - 55 FC
Troffer 2x4 (Fluorescent) 9,368 9,368 Chapel Hill Elementary 50 - 65 FC 20 - 25 FC 40 - 55 FC 35 - 45 FC 40 - 55 FC
Troffer 2x4 (Linear LED) 387 387 Columbia Elementary 40 - 110 FC 35 - 45 FC 30 - 70 FC 90 - 100 FC 30 - 55 FC
Recessed Cans 648 648 Huntley Hills Elementary 40 - 55 FC 30 - 40 FC 40 - 45 FC 15 - 45 FC 30 - 40 FC
Strip Fixtures 542 542 Kingsley Elementary 20 - 100 FC 35 - 45 FC 15 - 30 FC 90 - 100 FC 32 - 45 FC
Industrial Fixtures 353 353 Lithonia Middle 35 - 70 FC 30 - 35 FC 25 - 40 FC 60 - 70 FC 50 - 60 FC
Wrap Fixtures 343 343 Marbut Elementary 60 - 80 FC 60 - 70 FC 40 - 65 FC 10 - 20 FC 30 - 50 FC
Direct/Indirect Fixtures 77 77
Montgomery Elementary 5 - 30 FC 15 - 20 FC 30 - 60 FC 40 - 50 FC 15 - 20 FC
Vapor Tight 112 112
Pine Ridge Elementary 60 - 80 FC 35 - 50 FC 30 - 40 FC 30 - 40 FC 60 - 70 FC
High Bay 42 42
Princeton Elementary 10 - 40 FC 70 - 80 FC 35 - 45 FC 30 - 45 FC 60 - 70 FC
Wall Packs (Exterior) 251 251
Drums (Exterior) 156 156 Redan High 15 - 50 FC 35 - 65 FC 20 - 30 FC 35 - 80 FC 35 - 75 FC
Canopy Fixtures (Exterior) 142 142 Redan Middle 20 - 45 FC 20 - 30 FC 30 - 45 FC 20 - 35 FC 30 - 40 FC
Floods (Exterior) 91 91 Rock Chapel Elementary 15 - 40 FC 20 - 30 FC 30 - 40 FC 15 - 20 FC 40 - 50 FC
Shoe Box/Pole Lights (Exterior) 34 34 Shadow Rock Elementary 10 - 35 FC 30 - 40 FC 30 - 80 FC 25 - 35 FC 25 - 40 FC
Misc (Dec, Inc, etc.) 173 173 Snapfinger Elementary 35 - 80 FC 40 - 55 FC 30 - 45 FC 10 - 20 FC 35 - 50 FC
zDo Nothing (LED Flat Panels) 7,085
Wadsworth Elementary 45-75 FC 40 - 55 FC 30 - 55 FC 30 - 100 FC 10 - 30 FC
zDo Nothing (LED Trofferss) 680
Woodward Elementary 45-75 FC 30 - 40 FC 10 - 35 FC 60 - 80 FC 30 - 55 FC
zDo Nothing (Existing LED, Dec,
Theatrical, etc.) 3,325
Higher than IES Standards 6
Grand Total 24,078 12,988
Lower than IES Standards
Phase 1: LED Lighting Survey Findings/ Overview
Existing Conditions Summary
1. LED Flat Panel Fixtures (Hallways, Offices, Cafeterias,
Media Centers)
• Wattage Range: 40W–60W (varied across spaces)
• Mounting: Fixtures not securely tied off to the structure above —
potential safety and maintenance concern
2. Classrooms
• Condition: Not updated; many fixtures still fluorescent or older LED
types
• Lighting Quality: Under-lit, with frequent lamp and ballast outages
3. Color Temperature
• Mixed (3000K / 4000K / 5000K), leading to inconsistent visual
appearance
Key Issues Identified
• Safety/Installation: Hanging fixtures not properly supported
• Lighting Uniformity: Large variation in wattage and color temperature
across spaces 7
DeKalb County School District – Value Proposition
LED Lighting Recommendation Options
• Option 1 – Replace All Existing Troffers with New LED Flat Panels
– Include Existing LED Flat Panels in Over Lit Areas - (3,149) Fixtures
– Tie Off to Structure Above
• Option 2 - Replace All Existing Troffers with New LED Flat Panels
– Do Not Include Existing LED Flat Panels in Over Lit Areas - (3,149) Fixtures
• Option 3 - Replace All Existing Troffers with New LED Flat Panels
– Do Not Include Existing LED Flat Panels in Over Lit Areas - (3,149) Fixtures
– Tie Off to Structure Above - (3,149) Fixtures
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LED Lighting – Cash Proforma – Option 2
Annual Savings Payback
School Price Energy HVAC M&O Total (Years) GPC Rebates
Bob Mathis Elementary $149,524 $22,253 $2,536 $2,711 $27,500 5.4 $16,176
Browns Mill Elementary $162,669 $32,674 $4,988 $4,188 $41,849 3.9 $17,598
Chapel Hill Elementary $31,698 $2,434 $93 $493 $3,020 10.5 $3,429
Columbia Elementary $125,409 $26,740 $3,833 $3,030 $33,603 3.7 $13,567
Pine Ridge Elementary $189,716 $24,308 $3,136 $3,200 $30,644 6.2 $20,524
Princeton Elementary $275,809 $29,789 $4,104 $5,347 $39,239 7.0 $29,837
Rock Chapel Elementary $148,439 $21,729 $2,942 $3,005 $27,676 5.4 $16,058
Shadow Rock Elementary $142,087 $18,706 $2,412 $3,649 $24,767 5.7 $15,372
Wadsworth Magnet & Knollwood
ES $124,168 $16,825 $2,064 $2,271 $21,161 5.9 $13,433
Huntley Hills Elementary $60,574 $10,579 $1,595 $1,256 $13,431 4.5 $6,553
Kingsley Elementary $55,712 $15,029 $2,062 $1,330 $18,421 3.0 $6,027
Marbut Elementary $162,670 $24,752 $3,290 $3,714 $31,756 5.1 $17,597
Montgomery Elementary $21,794 $5,366 $475 $648 $6,488 3.4 $2,358
Lithonia Middle School $287,237 $30,730 $4,076 $6,548 $41,354 6.9 $31,074
Woodward Elementary $106,562 $16,285 $2,326 $1,825 $20,436 5.2 $11,528
Redan High $418,271 $40,717 $6,733 $8,007 $55,457 7.5 $45,250
Redan Middle School $138,761 $18,238 $1,910 $3,018 $23,165 6.0 $15,010
Snapfinger Elementary $172,029 $20,995 $2,687 $2,551 $26,233 6.6 $18,609
Total $2,773,129 $378,149 $51,263 $56,788 $486,200 5.7 $300,000
Financial Overview
Project Cost $2,773,129
Annual Savings $486,200
Annual Payment (10 yr., 7.0%) ($394,831)
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Net Positive Cashflow $91,369
DeKalb County School District – Value Proposition
1 2 3 4 5 6
Design Funding Savings Financing Return Responsibility
GPC works GPC funds the LED GPC will maximize Utilize GPC's MSA bill Lower energy costs, Single source
collaboratively with Retrofit Project upfront energy efficiency pay in lieu of 3rd party reduced maintenance responsibility provided
DeKalb County School with no DeKalb County rebates to offset project financing eliminating expenses, reduced by GPC
to design a cost- School District capital costs and guarantee the debt carbon footprint,
effective LED Lighting required energy savings enhance occupant well-
Retrofit System being
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Our Path Forward