The city school system will use the grant to make lighting upgrades at Barrett Elementary and Smith Middle schools.

“Improving the energy efficiency of our school buildings is a wise investment,” Bentley said. “Cutting energy expenditures will stretch taxpayer dollars and allow the school system to focus more resources on the classroom.”

The project includes the installation of timers to shut off lights on nights and weekends at both schools. Sensors also will be installed to automatically turn lights off when classrooms or other areas are unoccupied during the day.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Bentley notified Dr. Craig Witherspoon, superintendent of Birmingham city schools, that he had approved the grant.

Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers