The Butler County Board of Education is taking advantage of a grant to reduce operating expenses at Greenville Elementary School.

A $226,700 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is funding replacement of 127 windows at the school with new models that hold in more warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer. The windows are being custom-made to fit the window casings of the school which was built in 1938. School system officials expect installation to begin in November. Workers also will replace door seals. The improvements will cut energy costs by about $16,000 each year.

“Butler County is making an investment that will pay dividends for many years to come,” ADECA Director Doni Ingram said. “I hope these energy-saving measures will help the school system to cope with reduced funding caused by the economic downturn.”

The grant was awarded by Gov. Bob Riley in November 2009 from funds made available to Alabama as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

As the State Energy Office, ADECA’s Energy Division is administering grants for 27 projects totaling $52.06 million as part of the State Energy Program. The projects focus on reducing energy consumption in public school buildings, improving the energy efficiency of state prisons, providing low-interest loans to businesses making energy improvements and offering training seminars for construction industry professionals.