Board approves two‑year electricity and natural gas contracts amid rising prices
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Summary
District signs two-year energy contracts with current vendor; officials said rates have risen and the agreement locks in supply for two years.
The McHenry School District 15 Board of Education on June 24 approved a two‑year electricity and natural gas contract renewal with the district’s current energy vendor.
District staff explained prices for electricity and natural gas are rising and the vendor offered a two‑year term. The presenter said the proposed electricity rate reflects an increase over the prior term and was described in the meeting as "7¢ per kilowatt" on the energy side and "47 per therm" for gas; the presenter also characterized the electricity change as a substantial percentage increase compared with the previous contract. Officials said the district purchases natural gas in bulk and stores supply to hedge winter-month prices where possible.
The district recommended renewing with the incumbent vendor to maintain continuity and to avoid short-term market volatility. Board members asked whether recent and upcoming mechanical and envelope improvements (roofs, insulation, window/door work and new HVAC controls) will show up as lower bills; staff said operations monitors utility bills building by building but that many variables make direct year-to-year comparisons difficult.
A roll-call vote approved the two‑year energy contracts. District staff said they will continue monitoring usage trends and incorporate controls and building improvements into future energy-efficiency planning.