22 | TSPMA MAGAZINE | FALL 2026 projects ready to move. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation used our financial architecture and review processes as a model for launching a revolving loan program rapidly and federally compliantly. That is not something we planned for specifically. It is what happens when you build a program with structure and success over a long period of time. The infrastructure was there when Tennessee needed it. A Tool Every District Should Be Using Every year, EESI produces an Annual District Utility Summary (AUDS) for all 147 Tennessee school districts. These are detailed reports that track energy and utility performance, benchmark districts against themselves and their peers, and identify opportunities for improvement. Utilities represent nearly 50% of non- instructional operating expenses for most districts. That is a significant line item, and too often, decisions about energy investment are made without reliable data to support them. The ADUS changes that. It gives superintendents and facility directors something concrete to work from, whether they are making the case for a capital project, negotiating a utility contract, or simply trying to understand where the money is going. If your district is not using this resource, I would encourage you to reach out to EESI for your personalized summary. Why This Partnership with TSPMA Is Different EESI is a state program with a strong track record, but we are not always the first call a district makes when they are trying to solve a facility problem. That is where TSPMA members come in, and why this partnership is genuinely valuable. The facility directors and school plant managers in this association know their buildings in ways that no state program office can. They understand which systems are aging out, which projects have been deferred for too long, and which investments will deliver the greatest return for their district. When EESI resources are available, TSPMA members are positioned to move quickly and strategically because they have a deep, working knowledge of their facilities and priorities. What I’ve seen, time and again, is that the districts getting the most out of EESI are the ones with engaged, informed facility professionals who know how to match program opportunities with real building needs. TSPMA is the network that fosters that level of engagement across each of the grand divisions of this great state of Tennessee. That is a partnership worth investing in and I am glad we are building it together. To learn more about EESI financing, grants, and the Annual District Utility Summary, view the EESI program office here https://www.tn.gov/eesi. Scott Slusher serves as Executive Director of the Tennessee Energy Efficient Schools Initiative and has been associated with the program since 2014. With a background in energy management, he has worked with school districts across all 95 Tennessee counties to improve facility performance, reduce energy costs, and support student learning environments. He can be reached at scott.s.slusher@tn.gov. Building Better Schools Together, continued Learn More: OperationsHERO is essential to the smooth operation of our facility team at Greeneville City Schools. Reach out to Ryan Schwartz ryan@operationshero.com Phillip Graham Operations Supervisor Greeneville City Schools Phillip Graham Phillip Graham Operations Supervisor Operations Supervisor Greeneville City Schools Greeneville City Schools Scan here to start your free trial Scan here to start your free trial Scan here to start your free trial Highland Park Elementary School in Greeneville, Tennessee, received a canopy for their school, and other building upgrades through the School Uplift Grant, with TVA and EESI.
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