How Columbus City Schools Strengthened Learning Environments Through Lighting, Electrical, and Controls Upgrades

Written by Jace McGonigle, VP and Director of Operations for Evolved Lighting & Energy

 

The foundation of a strong school district isn’t just curriculum, staffing, or technology. It includes the buildings themselves.

Lighting quality, HVAC performance, and electrical reliability play a direct role in safety, comfort, focus, and long-term operational costs. And school districts across the country are beginning to rethink how these systems support the student experience.

Columbus City Schools (CCS) is one of them. Over the last several years, the district has invested in upgrades that make its facilities brighter, safer, more efficient, and easier to manage. Evolved Lighting & Energy is proud to be a long-term partner in that work.

A District-Wide Commitment to Stronger Facilities

In just 2.5 years, Evolved Lighting & Energy has completed more than 800 lighting and electrical service work orders across the district.

From classroom outages to emergency repairs, the focus has been simple: respond quickly, resolve issues thoroughly, and keep school operations uninterrupted.

Through a new 2025 contract, we’ve also supported 35 stadium-lighting service requests, helping CCS maintain safe, reliable lighting for evening practices, games, and community events.

This district-wide coverage ensures that every campus, large or small, has access to responsive, qualified support.

Transforming High-Use Learning Spaces

Two of the most visible improvements are the gymnasium and auditorium renovations at Yorktown Middle School and Walnut Ridge High School.

These multi-use facilities support everything from athletics to performances to assemblies, which makes reliability non-negotiable.

Both projects included:

• Full LED lighting and controls upgrades
• Theatrical and stage lighting installation (ETC basis of design)
• A/V system enhancements
• Electrical distribution improvements
• Scoreboard power, bleacher power, and miscellaneous electrical systems

The result is more reliable infrastructure, better visibility, improved acoustics, and safer, modernized spaces for thousands of students and community members each year.

Modern HVAC Controls That Improve Comfort and Reduce Operational Load

While lighting upgrades often get more attention, building controls have a significant impact on day-to-day operations and energy performance.

CCS invested in a nine-school HVAC controls upgrade, completed in partnership with Brewer Garrett’s engineering team.

The project included:

• Installing 712+ VAV boxes
• Thermostats and communication wiring
• Server-rack terminations
• Commissioning and verification support
• Deployment of alternating 3-man crews to complete the project within a five-month window

Better controls help schools achieve more consistent comfort, reduce hot/cold calls, and prevent unexpected equipment strain: improving both the student experience and long-term system reliability.

Why This Matters for Other School Districts and Municipalities

Education and municipal buildings face similar challenges: aging infrastructure, rising operating costs, and pressure to improve the quality of public spaces.

The CCS model demonstrates that district-wide improvements don’t have to happen all at once; they can be phased, prioritized, and aligned with capital-planning cycles.

Districts considering upgrades typically see benefits in:

• Energy savings from LED lighting and modern controls
• Reduced maintenance costs and fewer emergency repairs
• Improved comfort and visibility, which directly affect student focus
• Better system management through networked building controls
• Stronger community perception of safe, well-maintained public facilities

Reliable infrastructure is a competitive advantage for any school system. It reduces operational stress and creates the kind of environments educators and students deserve.

Looking Ahead

As Columbus City Schools continues its long-term facilities strategy, we’re honored to support their team with lighting, electrical, and control-system expertise. These improvements don’t just solve today’s challenges – they set the district up for healthier, more efficient, and more reliable buildings for years to come.