Phase one of the Gulf Shores City Schools' $10.1 million modernization project is nearing completion and while many of the updates are not visible to visitors there are two noticeable additions to the campus.
The district announced a partnership with energy and sustainability specialists Schneider Electric in June 2021. The system-wide project promises to boost the district's energy efficiency while increasing student engagement.
The capital recovery and reinvestment program will enable the district to implement energy-efficient measures and the latest technologies to generate energy and operational savings. Those measures and technologies include:

• New HVAC systems for improved comfort, efficiency and reliability

• New water system for reduced energy and water consumption and improved control
• Roof replacement at the high school for more comfortable classrooms and spaces
• New centralized building automation system at each school to increase control and efficiency
• Comprehensive interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades
• Solar skylights to increase natural light in dark interior areas
• New Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system to provide faster emergency response times

Phase one of the project included a new roof and HVAC system at the high school and interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades at all three campuses. Gulf Shores City Schools Director of Operations, Beau Roode, gave the school board an update on the project during the Dec. 9 School Board Meeting. He said he anticipated phase one inspections to be complete by mid-January and phase two to begin immediately following.
Two of the changes visitors will notice on campus are the addition of two SmartFlower solar arrays; one is located between the elementary school and middle school campus and one at the high school campus. According to Smartflower.com, the self-contained solar electric system is designed to mimic the unfurling of a flower when the sun rises. The solar panels follow the sun throughout the day, making up to 40% more energy than stationary solar panels. Once the sun has set, the SmartFlower folds up its petals while integrated brushes sweep away dirt and dust. The system also folds up when winds reach 40 mph.
The SmartFlowers are just one of the interactive learning components being installed throughout the Gulf Shores City Schools campus. Superintendent Dr. Matt Akin said the students will be able to interact with touch screen dashboards that show real-time data on the energy produced. When the project is complete, the campus will feature solar trees, solar benches in the playground and sporting areas and solar charging stations.
During the Dec. 9 Gulf Shores Board of Education meeting, Dr. Matt Akin said that he has spoken with Schneider Electric about adding solar panels to the roof of the Steam Collaborative Learning Center wing at Gulf Shores Elementary school that is currently under construction. The building was designed to support solar panels and the infrastructure is already in the plans to be installed. Akin said Schneider Electric is looking into grants that could defray the costs.
Once the modernization project is complete the school system's energy consumption will be reduced by 33%. The estimated savings over the next 20 years is $6.4 million.