Profile of a Patriot

Through the Lugar Energy Patriot, Senator Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or member of the business community who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America's energy security. In addition to the profile posted here, individuals will receive a certificate designating them Lugar Energy Patriots, and a letter of congratulations.

Lisa Darger
Energy Education Manager
Metropolitan School District of Warren Township
Indianapolis, Indiana

Lisa Darger, Energy Education Manager at the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township in Indianapolis, is the 25th recipient of the Lugar Energy Patriot award.

Through the Lugar Energy Patriot, Senator Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or member of the business community who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America's energy security.

Easy Efficiency:  Teaching Conservation as a Life Skill

"A world filled to the brim with electronic devices, combined with an entire generation eager and willing to use those items makes a tough case for saving energy," said Darger. "I teach conservation as a life skill, not simply something you practice when convenient."

Darger works each day to ensure conservation and energy efficiency become life skills for each of the nearly 12,000 students in the district. Through these efforts, the school district has saved nearly $3 million since 2001 on electricity, natural gas and water expenses. 

"It all started when budgets were getting cut years ago," said Darger. "The simplest place to cut costs was in the utilities budget. We worked to be more efficient in our buildings therefore cutting costs."

Darger believes teaching conservation and efficiency must include everyone in the district.

"An energy program is difficult without support from administrators and educators,” said Darger. "We are changing people’s thinking and behavior. Change is change, whether big or small. Every effort makes a difference."

However, according to Darger, once students and staff became accustomed to new processes and ideologies, energy efficiency and conservation became much easier.

"It’s a tough sell for people that have never given their energy usage a second thought," Darger explains. "However, with the team effort here at Warren Township, efficiency and conservation have become a way of life."

Recycling is another conservation method Darger has implemented.

"Recycling is huge for a community," said Darger. "With smaller budgets, schools have to get more creative in fundraising to support field trips, arts, etc. and parents hate to fundraise. Recycling has been initiated at each school in the district and is open to the community. With the particular company we work with, the schools then get funds from the amount recycled to engage the community even further."

Additional efforts by the district include: energy efficient lighting, digital thermostats, computerized hot water pumps, large revolution ceiling fans for gymnasiums, keyless entry door systems, using capacitors on electric motors, and computer-controlled lighting systems at the 1-million square foot high school campus.

"As Warren Township continues to work to conserve utility dollars, we are able to provide more tools for our staff," said Darger. "One primary tool is the Facility Usage Permit System. One of the first gaps identified eight years ago was the inability to efficiently track events which occurred outside of school hours. Scheduled HVAC for those events often meant that air conditioning or heat would run long past the designated hours, or run needlessly if the event was cancelled."

According to Darger, in the past, HVAC ran all day everyday on the chance one may use a building.

"Now we have a web-based system that allows specific scheduling for events and immediate notice of cancellation," said Darger. "The system also provides data to make better decisions around timing and scheduling of events for HVAC, custodial, security and building efficiency."

Rewarding Results

With nearly 12,000 students and more than 15 education buildings, Darger readily and graciously utilizes the expertise of others in her efforts.

"If you think about the people that know a building the best it’s going to be the custodial and support staff," said Darger. "They are constantly on the lookout for computers and empty classroom lights left on."

Because of these individuals crusading for conservation, Darger developed the 'Energy Eye' award.

"It’s important to recognize individuals for help they offer," said Darger. "The Energy Eye program isn’t some extravagant recognition program. It’s a simple way to say thank you to the staff for being my eyes and ears."

It isn’t just the custodial and support staff getting in on these energy watchdog efforts; the students are stepping up as well.

"For example, a motivated group of special needs students at one of our elementary schools walk their building each week to identify various energy issues including monitoring building temperatures that are outside of the district’s comfort range," said Darger.

According to Darger, more than 3,000 students have participated in Warren Energy Outreach programs – launching hydrogen-powered rockets and solar tractors; creating model homes powered by solar energy; measuring temperature and humidity in their embryology experiments; creating electrical circuits; and using a working electric meter to measure kilowatt usage.

"Once our students are engaged in these creative ways, our efforts no doubt affect their home-life as well," said Darger. "Parents become further interested in their child’s activities.  We assist parents with the Energy Connection newsletter which is filled with concrete tips on how to save energy at home and the cost avoidance they can incur. It’s a powerful way to keep kids engaged both at school and home."

Darger has hopes for future projects as well.

"We’d obviously love to do more," said Darger. "We are in our stride right now and I’m certain more opportunities for growth and development in our efforts will happen."

With student and staff involvement exceeding expectations, nearly every day is a good day for Darger. 

"I just love my job," said Darger. "It’s important to be a good steward of the resources you are given whether natural or financial.  It doesn’t cost anything to save money and we are seeing the rewards of our efforts every day."

Senator Lugar agrees. That is why he congratulates Lisa Darger on being a Lugar Energy Patriot.