Since 2018, Mark Mathis, maintenance director at CUSD #3 Fulton County, has been a man on a mission. That mission: energy efficiency. It’s a worthy endeavor for its own sake, but when you look at the cost savings, the impact on the bottom line is crystal-clear.
To date, Ameren Illinois has awarded nearly $200,000 in financial incentives to support capital improvement projects throughout the district — which has dramatically reduced their monthly energy bills. And it makes you wonder: Why isn’t everyone doing this?
It all started with the district’s first lighting project in 2018. By updating their interior lighting to LEDs, CUSD #3 has achieved annual savings of more than $27,000 — savings that continue to accumulate month after month.
A rooftop HVAC unit accounts for annual cost savings of more than $7,000, while a weatherization project completed in early 2025 is estimated to save the district more than $42,000 each year. Meanwhile, a simple change in their HVAC schedule is contributing over $23,000 in annual savings — without upgrading or installing any new equipment!
“The first month after implementing the building schedule at the high school, our electric bill lowered by $1,700,” explains District Bookkeeper Jodee Mathis. “It’s incredible!
Since 2018, Mark Mathis, maintenance director at CUSD #3 Fulton County, has been a man on a mission. That mission: energy efficiency. It’s a worthy endeavor for its own sake, but when you look at the cost savings, the impact on the bottom line is crystal-clear.
To date, Ameren Illinois has awarded nearly $200,000 in financial incentives to support capital improvement projects throughout the district — which has dramatically reduced their monthly energy bills. And it makes you wonder: Why isn’t everyone doing this?
It all started with the district’s first lighting project in 2018. By updating their interior lighting to LEDs, CUSD #3 has achieved annual savings of more than $27,000 — savings that continue to accumulate month after month.
A rooftop HVAC unit accounts for annual cost savings of more than $7,000, while a weatherization project completed in early 2025 is estimated to save the district more than $42,000 each year. Meanwhile, a simple change in their HVAC schedule is contributing over $23,000 in annual savings — without upgrading or installing any new equipment!
“The first month after implementing the building schedule at the high school, our electric bill lowered by $1,700,” explains District Bookkeeper Jodee Mathis. “It’s incredible!
Even the smaller changes add up. New water heaters at the high school contribute an estimated $364 in annual savings, while a greenhouse heater upgrade shaves off another $469 from their annual bill. Every dollar saved can be re-invested back into their core mission: educating students.
In March 2025, the leadership of CUSD #3 Fulton County invited the public to attend a presentation at Cuba Middle-Senior High School to show off their energy-saving achievements. Mark and Jodee Mathis were beaming with pride as local stakeholders and other nearby school districts learned about the tremendous impact they have made in this small rural community. This, in turn, has inspired those districts to follow their lead in beginning their own energy efficiency journey.
Businesses of all kinds can learn how to take advantage of eligible incentives by speaking to an Energy Advisor. Call 1.866.800.0747 or click here to take the first step.
