WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. December 4, 2009: The $38.5 Million "green building, eco-efficient, energy-saving" Post Road School opened to rave reviews in September with no reported glitches. However, the security lighting system in halls and stairways and entrances cannot be controlled efficiently due to flaws in the electric system controlling the lights.

Neighbors may be wondering why the new Post Road School has blazed like an airport terminal all night long 7 days a week these past three months. Fred Seiler confirmed the problem with the lighting to WPCNR Thursday.  The school according to Assistant Superintendent for Business, Fred Seiler, has too many lights that are security lights which cannot be dimmed and are not motion-sensitive, and apparently, (it is not quite clear why), cannot be turned off individually.

Seiler confirmed the electrical-design perpetual lighting problem  in the new school Thursday afternoon to WPCNR, after a parent contacted WPCNR complaining about the waste and how long it has been literally going on.

Post Road School, Sterling Avenue entrance. Wednesday 11:30 P.M

According to Seiler the district became aware of the problem when the school opened in September and they have had “many discussions” about how to fix it. It seems the lights cannot be turned off individually. The lights in question are the main entrance interior lights, the three hall levels and the stairwells. Individual classroom lights are motion sensitive, and even dim according to the amount of light coming in the windows, as well as being switch-controlled.

New Post Road School, Wednesday Evening 11:20 P.M. Soundview Parking Lot.

Post Road School Cafeteria, Soundview Avenue side. 11:35 P.M. Wednesday Night.

Seiler said the problem stems from a misunderstanding between the architect, Kaeyer, Gartment & Davidson which called for the lights (which Seiler said were too many), and the way in which the electrical contractor wired the lights. “People say, well why don’t you just turn them all off,” Seiler explained, “but that’s no good either , because then you have no security lighting, at night.”

Seiler said the project for rewiring the lights has been put out to bid. He said he had no idea how much it would cost.

Parents familiar with the problem contacted WPCNR complaining about the problem. One said the lights have been on for months and they considered it a waste of money.

Seiler said the school district did not have an idea of how much the 24 hour lighting has eaten up in additional electricity bills.