Harvard Community Unit School District 50 has completed a comprehensive lighting enhancement project. Through a strategic partnership with ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program, the district upgraded lighting systems across all five buildings, with ComEd covering 95 percent of the project's $139,413 cost.
The LED conversion project reflects District 50's commitment to financial stewardship while advancing sustainability goals. It touched nearly every corner of the district, transforming high-traffic spaces where students learn, compete, and gather. At the elementary level, Washington School received gymnasium upgrades, while Crosby Elementary's improvements extended to the gymnasium, music room, library, and front office. Jefferson Elementary saw enhancements in both the gymnasium and cafeteria. The district's secondary buildings, the Junior High School and High School, each received upgraded lighting in both gymnasiums, with the Junior High cafeteria also included in the project.
The financial impact for taxpayers is substantial. District officials project a return on investment in just over five and a half months, with significant annual energy savings continuing long after. By dramatically reducing electricity consumption, the upgrades free up operating budget dollars that can be redirected toward educational priorities such as student programming, staffing, technology, and facility improvements.
"By leveraging grant funding through ComEd’s Energy Efficiency Program, we were able to modernize our facilities at minimal cost to taxpayers while creating brighter, safer, and more inspiring spaces for learning,”said Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Melissa Geyman Sell. “Savings from these upgrades will continue to support student programs and educational opportunities for years to come.”
Beyond the bottom line, the lighting transformation enhances the educational experience. Research shows that LED lighting improves visual clarity, reduces glare and flicker, and supports better concentration and mood among students. The higher-quality, daylight-mimicking environment helps increase reading fluency and reduces distractions.
Athletic programs will particularly benefit from the improvements. Studies demonstrate that LED fixtures increase brightness and visibility, decreasing reaction time and increasing both safety and performance among athletes. The enhanced lighting in competition and practice spaces creates safer conditions while reducing long-term maintenance requirements.
The installation proved remarkably smooth, with minimal disruption to the educational environment. The district plans to continue its partnership with ComEd to audit all internal and external lights across the district, identifying additional opportunities for efficiency improvements.
With District 50's participation in the Energy Efficiency Program it joins several other northern Illinois school districts that have leveraged similar incentives to modernize infrastructure while protecting taxpayer investment.
Through innovative fiscal management, District 50 ensures that these savings can be invested directly in students and programs. It's this kind of stewardship that allows Harvard schools to continue rising.