McKinstry Leads Districtwide Lighting Upgrades Across 36 Salt Lake City Schools

Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) has completed new lighting at 36 schools, the first phase of a systemwide modernization plan focused on improved classroom learning environments and reduced energy use. McKinstry led design, procurement and installation planning, working closely with energy and facilities staff to shape a system that supports teachers and students for years to come.

Transforming Classroom Lighting

Many classrooms previously relied on fluorescent fixtures nearing the end of their service life. The new LED systems deliver brighter, more consistent illumination and allow teachers to tailor light levels for reading, tests, presentations or group activities while also generating approximately $700,000 in energy savings over the 20-year life of the system.

The project introduced luminaire level lighting control, placing individual sensors and switches in each fixture to support dimming, scheduling, scene setting and daylight harvesting. Each of these features have supported initial learning performance gains and classroom flexibility.

“Lighting impacts how students focus and how comfortable teachers feel day to day,” said John Doyle, lighting tools and training manager at McKinstry. “The goal is to bring the right light to classrooms when it’s needed while making spaces more efficient and adaptable for learning.”

Built for Lasting Impact

McKinstry developed classroom mockups and reviewed fixture placement and control layouts with teachers and school staff before finalizing designs. That early input helped shape system decisions around real classroom needs and durable infrastructure.

The updates also support SLCSD’s sustainability goals, including 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and zero-carbon performance by 2040. More than $2 million in energy incentives were secured early in the project, extending how far initial funding could go and bringing LED improvements to additional classrooms sooner in the long-term plan.

Project Earns National Award

McKinstry completed the lighting upgrades in phases so classrooms stayed open and school schedules continued with minimal disruption. Since then, teachers and administrators report improved visibility, more consistent light and greater control over room lighting for daily lessons and student activities. This innovative work earned a national award from the Department of Energy Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Lighting Campaign.

“Thoughtful lighting upgrades play a critical role in creating safe, comfortable and effective learning environments for our students and staff. Through our partnership with McKinstry, we have been able to modernize our facilities in a way that supports education outcomes while also advancing our sustainability goals and operational efficiency across all schools,” said Morgan MacMillan, energy and sustainability manager for the Salt Lake City School District.

The partnership now continues beyond lighting, with McKinstry supporting other SLCSD projects that reduce energy use and strengthen long-term building performance. The lighting phase marks a major milestone in the school system’s ongoing work to enhance classroom environments for students and staff.