Central Valley School District Recognized as 2026 Zero+ Champion of Sustainability for Long-Term Energy Leadership

McKinstry, in partnership with Lumen Field, launched the Zero+ Champions of Sustainability Awards to recognize organizations making measurable progress in sustainability. Central Valley School District (CVSD) has been honored as a 2026 champion for more than a decade of work to improve energy performance, modernize aging infrastructure and create more efficient learning environments across its schools and facilities.

The district’s approach combines long-term planning with measurable investment. CVSD completed an investment-grade energy study across 12 schools totaling more than 1.1 million square feet, helping identify projects that could reduce energy use, address aging equipment and position the district for state funding.

That planning helped CVSD secure a $1,085,500 Washington State Energy Efficiency Grant toward a $2.4 million districtwide improvement project. The resulting work delivered lighting retrofits, digital controls at 10 schools and high-efficiency HVAC systems at two elementary schools.

Making Energy Performance Part of the Plan

Serving roughly 14,500 students across Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake, CVSD manages a large portfolio of schools with buildings, equipment and systems of varying ages.

Rather than treating energy efficiency as a one-time capital project, the district has made it an ongoing part of facilities planning and operations. That approach has allowed CVSD to pair major infrastructure upgrades with day-to-day operational improvements, helping reduce energy use and utility costs while extending the life of its facilities.

The district’s long-term approach is especially relevant as school districts across Washington navigate the state’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard and look for practical ways to improve building performance while managing limited capital resources.

From Investments to Results

CVSD’s districtwide energy performance project is projected to pay back in fewer than 10 years while delivering ongoing savings for the district.

The project is expected to:

• Save roughly 104,190 kWh of electricity and 6,900 MMBtu of natural gas annually.
• Reduce utility costs by approximately $63,744 per year.
• Generate an additional $19,203 in annual operations and maintenance savings.
• Improve lighting, building controls and HVAC performance across participating schools.
• Extend equipment life and reduce maintenance demands for district staff.
• The project also created opportunities to reinvest savings and incentives. Federal tax credits earned through the work were reinvested in remote operations management services that continue to support the district today.

Zero+ Champion of Sustainability

For CVSD, the impact extends beyond a single energy project. The district has built a foundation for continuing to evaluate building performance, pursue funding and make targeted investments across its facilities.

That combination of planning, funding and sustained operations demonstrates how school districts can make meaningful progress on energy efficiency while addressing the everyday priorities of cost, comfort, maintenance and facility reliability.

McKinstry and Lumen Field recognize Central Valley School District as a 2026 Zero+ Champion of Sustainability for its long-term commitment to energy performance and its work to create healthier, more efficient learning environments for students and staff across Eastern Washington.