By Carol Anders Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth School Board heard a presentation titled “Energy Education” at last night’s meeting.
Participation in the program outlined could mean substantial savings in future utility bills for the corporation.
Glenn Gaines, president mid-American division of Energy Education, said the company services approximately 956 public schools in 48 states.
Gaines said that his company helps to identify areas in all parts of the facilities and with staff members where energy use can be decreased and the program does not require any capital expenditures, but works within an existing utilities budget.
Although the program Gaines was introducing is for a 48-month contract, he said the company does offer an annual guarantee.

The guarantee is ex-plained on the company’s Web site as follows: “We are so convinced that our program will work, we offer a no-risk guarantee: If our clients do not save at least as much as they spend implementing our program, we will write them a check for the difference.”
Gaines said, “We will maintain comfort. It’s not hot in summer-cold in the winter — or have kids sitting in the dark.”
 Gaines indicated that a representative of Energy Education will be in Plymouth March 19.
In other business:
• No action was taken on the second reading of the school corporation’s mis-sion statement. The mission statement is being revised after receiving input from patrons and school staff during several pubic meetings.
Board member Larry Holloway raised a question of the wording and the implications of the statement during the discussion period.
Following is the mission statement being considered: “Plymouth schools commit to doing whatever it takes to maximize academic and social achievement of every individual as measured by state and community standards.”
Holloway said, “Who determines whatever it takes? I see ‘whatever it takes’ as time, money, staff, commitment, availability and facilities. If I’m a parent, what do I do?”
When asked by board member Larry Pinkerton about addressing a concern from a parent, Menominee Principal Michael Dunn said, “If you, Mr. Pinkerton, were the parent with a concern, I would expect that we would work it out. If we couldn’t or there was an issue, you would then go to the superintendent.  If Dan (Tyree) and I couldn’t work it out, then you would go to the school board.”
Addressing Dunn, Pinkerton asked, “Does the staff at Menominee do whatever it takes?”  
Dunn replied, “What we do at this level (elementary) is most important. We are building the foundation. If we do it right, we will not be building slab homes but mansions. We can’t use sub-par contracting, cheap concrete or fillers. We have to do whatever it takes to make sure the foundation is solid without any flaws.”
Jefferson Principal Robert Remenih said, “In less eloquent terms — it means never give up.”
After noting that two of the board members were absent from the meeting, Superintendent Dan Tyree suggested revisiting the issue at an executive board meeting and then bringing it back to a public meeting.