Believe it or not, it’s back-to-school season again, also known as one of the most expensive times of year for families. Whether a family is gearing up to send their child to a primary school that requires uniforms, buying their new college student dorm room decor, or simply stocking up on school supplies, back-to-school season can certainly cost a family a pretty penny.
On average, a family can expect to spend $687 on books, supplies, apparel and necessities for extracurricular activities for the school year, a cost that doesn’t even factor in tuition!
While families are gearing up for their first day back, schools are simultaneously preparing for another academic year: budgeting and balancing the costs of campus facilities, teacher salaries, and curriculum and staff development. With a U.S. average school district spending of $11,841 per student—which is still subject to school size—school budget costs can balloon quickly.
According to the Department of Energy, K-12 schools can spend more than $8 billion annually on energy, making this the second highest operating expenditure after personnel costs. Investing in energy-efficient and water-efficient technologies can allow a school to save on average $100,000 per year, which is enough to hire at least one new teacher, buy 200 new computers, or purchase 5,000 textbooks.
While some operating costs are necessary, others can be changed. Thacher School, a Banyan Water client, chose to take control of their water portfolio on campus and make measurable progress towards sustainability and financial efficiency. By actively tracking and managing their water, Thacher is able to decrease the cost of operating expenses, the risk of undetected leaks and of overall water use.
Managing a large campus is complex. Contact a Banyan Water expert today to discuss how you can simplify your water management.