PORTAGE | School Board members are considering a study to determine whether employing green technology would lead to substantial energy savings.

"We're looking for viable options, cost-effective options," School Board member Tom Pappas said. "We don't have a lot of money to play with."

Representatives from Indianapolis-based Earth Solar Technologies Corp., presented School Board members with information on solar, wind and geothermal options to reduce the district's reliance on fossil fuels, which, they said, would result in lower utility bills. Kenny Washington, the company's CEO said while much of the company's work is in designing and outfitting energy-efficient buildings, they can retrofit structures, but it can be difficult to guarantee savings.

Bryant Mitol, also with Earth Solar Technologies, said because of the locations of the school buildings, wind energy would not likely be a viable option. In order to reach maximum efficiency, windmills would have to be about 60 feet tall and require more land than is available near school sites.

"We anticipate on the lake, it would be receptive -- not so much here," Mitol said.

To fully assess which green options would save the district the most money, Mitol said the company could conduct a comprehensive study of the district's school buildings for about $10,000.

Pappas said he'd feel more comfortable doing a study on just one building for about $1,100.

"We have to figure out if there's any benefit to us," Pappas said. "Why not pick the least energy-efficient building in the system? If we're not saving money with the most energy-losing building, why do it?"

With six of the elementary school buildings constructed during the same time period and having near-identical floor plans, Board President Terry Hufford said it might be in the best interest of the school corporation to study one of those structures.