The Monona Grove School District has been selected as a recipient of the FOCUS ON ENERGY® 2025 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award, recognizing the district’s commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. This prestigious award highlights organizations that demonstrate exceptional dedication to reducing energy consumption and implementing innovative efficiency measures.

FOCUS ON ENERGY®, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable resource program, annually honors organizations that set the standard for energy conservation through proactive and impactful initiatives. Monona Grove School District’s ongoing efforts to enhance energy efficiency across its facilities have contributed to significant energy savings and environmental benefits, reinforcing its role as a leader in sustainability within the education sector.

Monona Grove School District is a K-12 public school district with seven school facilities serving approximately 3,500 students. The district’s mission is to be a safe, equitable, and inclusive learning community for everyone.

Key sustainability initiatives undertaken by the district include:

• The completion of a high-efficiency chiller and boiler installation in 2024.
• Whole building LED lighting projects at two schools, making the district 100% LED.
• Installation of a large solar PV system on Granite Ridge Elementary School.
• Installation of a PV array system on Monona Grove High School, the largest of any K-12 in Wisconsin to date.
• An ongoing retro-commissioning (RCx) process for all district schools to optimize energy performance.
• Participation in the NLC/HVAC Integration pilot to explore state-of-the-art technology for deeper energy savings, demonstrating a commitment to advanced control technology despite cost and implementation challenges.

The MG School Board's ad hoc Sustainability Committee was created in 2019 to provide guidance for developing the district's environmental sustainability. In August 2022, the Monona Grove School Board passed a motion "to accept the report of the Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee as presented and to acknowledge with gratitude the successful completion of the charge to this committee."

The School District also maintains a comprehensive sustainability report/plan to track and guide progress. More information about their efforts to continue saving energy and increasing on-site renewable energy production can be found on their sustainability web page. 

This process of investing in energy efficiency improvements is also saving the district money. By making the district's infrastructure more efficient, these initiatives are estimated to be saving Monona Grove School District approximately $250,000 each year.

"When I came on board, it didn't take long to see that energy efficiency was a priority and part of the culture here at MGSD" said William Miller, Director of Buildings and Grounds. "As future facilities plans and projects develop, we are abundantly grateful for the continued resources Focus on Energy provides in guiding us towards sustainability and cost savings."

Additionally, McKinstry, one of Monona Grove School District’s key energy efficiency partners, has also been recognized with the 2025 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award. McKinstry has played a vital role in advancing the district’s sustainability initiatives through strategic planning and implementation of energy-saving solutions.

The Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards celebrate organizations that make impactful contributions toward a cleaner, more energy-efficient Wisconsin. Monona Grove School District remains committed to advancing sustainability efforts and will continue exploring innovative strategies to further enhance energy conservation