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01/05/2008

David Leavitt's remote control, that is.

Leavitt's the head of maintenance for SAD 9, based in Farmington, which includes that town and Weld, Temple, Wilton, Chesterville, New Vineyard, Industry, New Sharon and Vienna. From his home, Leavitt can get on his computer, monitor the heat and light use in any of the district's eight school buildings and, if it's too hot or cold or too many lights are on, he can lower or raise the heat or turn off some of the lights. Remotely.

Now, that's pretty serious power. We'd probably abuse it, and turn off lights in the middle of a boring physics class, or turn up the heat when the old vice principal was monitoring study hall. Watch Miss Jones fall asleep!

But seriously, folks: Leavitt and SAD 9 have a good thing going. They're not only allowing Leavitt to feel godlike, but they're saving money, too. The remote control is part of a half-million-dollar energy-efficiency system installed in district schools within the last few years. The system constantly monitors conditions in schools and allows heating systems to be adjusted automatically depending on the use of the rooms and other parts of the buildings.

The district has saved $164,000 in energy costs because of the system.

Who knew that saving money could be so much fun?

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