Paducah Public Schools — Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract

In Brief: The Project at a Glance

Paducah Public Schools needed to modernize its largest campus — and do it all within one short summer window.

We designed and executed a full HVAC overhaul at Paducah Tilghman High School while also implementing district-wide upgrades to lighting, building controls, and efficiency systems.

Despite nationwide supply-chain challenges, the project was completed before students returned in the fall — on time, on budget, and already producing measurable energy savings.

What began as a high-pressure schedule became a showcase of our hands-on engineering, coordination, and commitment to guaranteed performance.

Why We Were Called

When Paducah Public Schools committed to improving its facilities, they had a bold vision — a complete modernization of their largest and oldest campus, Paducah Tilghman High School. The problem? The work had to be completed in a single summer.

For most, that kind of schedule would raise alarms. But for us, it was simply another opportunity to prove that a Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC) can do more than fund upgrades — it can deliver complex results with precision and confidence.

Key Achievements

• Completed a full HVAC system overhaul at Paducah Tilghman High School within a single summer window
• Delivered the entire project on time and within budget despite nationwide supply-chain challenges
• Implemented district-wide upgrades including LED lighting, building automation, and mechanical systems
• Achieved $259,568 in annual energy savings through high-efficiency improvements
• Improved indoor comfort, temperature control, and overall building performance across all facilities
• Established a long-term foundation for sustainability and future energy savings initiatives

Setting the Stage

Timing was everything. Tilghman High’s HVAC system — the heart of the district’s largest facility — was long overdue for replacement. The system needed to be fully removed, redesigned, and rebuilt within weeks, not months.

Our engineers knew that success depended on sequencing every move. From the first day of demolition to the final system test, our team coordinated closely with contractors Ray Black & Son, Triangle Enterprises, and DC Electric. Each phase was mapped out down to the hour — a carefully choreographed process that left no day unaccounted for.

Even as nationwide material delays threatened to derail timelines, we leveraged our supplier relationships and proactive scheduling to keep every milestone intact. By the time students returned in the fall, the new system was running flawlessly — and the building’s comfort levels had never been higher.

Our Approach

While Tilghman High was the focus, the broader goal was to elevate performance across the entire district.
We used the same data-driven approach to implement a range of district-wide upgrades that would deliver long-term savings and reliability.

Those improvements included:

• District-wide LED lighting upgrades that cut energy use and improved visual comfort.
• Advanced building automation and controls for smarter system operation and reduced maintenance calls.
• Thermal envelope improvements to minimize heat loss and gain across facilities.
• Domestic hot water and plumbing upgrades to enhance efficiency and water conservation.
• Kitchen and food service equipment enhancements that improved both energy use and safety.
• Operational improvements in the Maintenance Annex and Bus Garage to boost reliability for transportation and support facilities.

By tackling the project holistically, we ensured that every system worked in concert — optimizing efficiency, improving indoor comfort, and reducing operational strain on district staff.

Results: Measured Impact

The outcome was more than a successful project — it was a demonstration of what disciplined engineering and genuine partnership can accomplish.

“Our journey with Ascendant Facility Partners has been really great. From the beginning, they shared a clear vision — to save energy while improving our facility systems — and they delivered on every promise.”
— Dr. Donald Shively, Superintendent, Paducah Public Schools

We completed every task on time and within budget, despite the tightest of timelines. The project immediately began generating measurable savings in both energy and maintenance costs. Classrooms became quieter, temperature control improved, and staff noticed smoother day-to-day operation across the district.

“What excited us most was being able to use an energy savings project to move our district forward without affecting our bonding potential. The energy savings alone were impressive, but the added benefits of new windows and roof improvements really helped prepare our buildings for the next decade.”
— Dr. Donald Shively, Superintendent, Paducah Public Schools

The upgrades also set the stage for future sustainability initiatives, giving the district a foundation to pursue additional performance contracting and reinvest those savings into education where it matters most.