School districts during 1979-80 were faced with a dramatic reallocation of maintenance and operations funds from salaries (a 25 percent reduction from that budgeted) to cover energy costs, with the balance used in a discretionary manner to purchase equipment and supplies and contract salaries as the year evolved. (Author/MLF)

This document analyzes the causes of a discrepancy between expected electric costs of $19,460 annually based on full occupancy and usage, compared with a 1972 total billing of $49,819, and the fear of a 1974 $53,000 electric bill. A review was made of detailed proposals for 1967 and 1968 submitted to the building commettee to guide them in…