Franklin Academy is known as the birthplace of public education for the state of Mississippi, and students are still carrying on its legacy as they learn in its classrooms.
But the school building has shown its age, especially when it comes to energy efficiency.
Thanks to a $210,000 grant from Tennessee Valley Authority, Franklin will be more energy efficient soon. Money will come from the TVA’s School Uplift program, which has helped 118 schools since 2021, a Columbus Light and Water press release said. TVA distributes power to CLW.
Franklin Principal Shanika McKinney said the money will go to various projects such as updating the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, installing new LED lighting with sensors and monitors inside and outside the school, installing new windows that are up to historic standards as the building is a registered historical site and providing the students a new playground.
Columbus Municipal School District Public Information Officer Mary Pollitz told The Dispatch a certain number of finalists for the grant were each given $10,000 to either upgrade the playground or the science, technology, engineering and math lab, and the students could decide.
“The students voted on what they wanted, and they wanted to use it for playground equipment,” McKinney said. “… I know we’re considering basketball goals, new jungle gym-type of equipment like slides, and we may be looking at a new swing set because I think the one that’s there is kind of old.”
Schools that participate in the year-long School Uplift program must maintain the energy-saving practice and participating schools compete to earn grants by cutting their energy waste through behavioral changes and by engaging students, faculty and staff. The program has helped save schools nearly 10% on their annual energy bills just from the learned energy-saving behaviors.
The work on the school paid for by the grant must be started by August, McKinney said.
“The whole program is about energy-saving behaviors and making sure we are cognisant of the energy that we’re using,” McKinney said.
“Considering this building is pretty old, we’ve learned a lot about those behaviors. We make sure we power down, turn thermostats off, unplug computers and laptops. All of those things help us have energy savings at the end of the month.”
TVA and CLW will participate in a celebration at Franklin 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Interim Superintendent Craig Chapman announced at the district’s Monday night board meeting.
“Our biggest concern is that the building and the grounds are conducive to learning and for students to be here and play,” McKinney said.
“We want them to be safe. We want them to be engaged in school and come to school. I believe the grant money is going to assist in making this learning environment conducive to achieve at the highest level.”
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