Hutto High School and other schools in the Hutto ISD saved a combined $318,000 in energy costs from June 2014 to June 2015.[/caption]

Since last June, Hutto ISD saved approximately $318,200 in energy costs—savings the school district's Energy Manager Frederick Patterson said amounts to removing 200 cars from the road for a year or planting 22,315 trees.

By taking energy-efficient measures, the school system saved approximately $100,000 more than it did last year during the same time, Patterson said. Using the momentum from this year’s savings, Patterson said Hutto ISD will start a "Watt Watchers" program at the elementary school level that allows students to become involved in energy savings and learn to be more environmentally conscious.

Through the program, select students will be able to check classrooms for responsible energy usage and “ticket” teachers who do not take recommended actions.

“The kids will get excited about it, but it will also raise more awareness about the energy savings program,” he said. “If you’re one of the teachers with a ticket, it’s kind of like a slap on the wrist.”

Hutto ISD serves more than 6,000 students at eight campuses.