Sedona-Oak Creek School District Superintendent Dave Lykins received accolades recently for a number of cost-saving, educational projects in the school district.

Lykins received the honor from Arizona’s Coalition for Educational Excellence, where the district was awarded an Excellence Through Innovation plaque. Lykins attended an awards ceremony in Phoenix on Dec. 2. He attended the meeting with Dave Young, coordinator for a number of district-related projects with the district, and Scott Schraeder, a local contractor who has worked with the district.

“Some of the work that his firm did was part of what we were recognized for,” Lykins said, adding the award was primarily for the educational opportunities created through the construction projects, as well as for cost savings.

“For example, the money we save in our energy plan allowed dollars to remain in our maintenance and operations budget. Therefore we can invest that in education, computer programs, actual computers, additional staff,” Lykins said.

Crews constructed a lab at the high school as well, which Lykins said promotes science and technology and math.

“On top of that we also provided environmental components that go through our solar farm. We have it integrated into our science curriculum at the high school,” Lykins said.

Natural lighting has also been installed within the district to help reduce costs, he said.

“Research indicates that natural light is conducive for a better setting for students than artificial lights. A lot of these different things were recognized by this coalition,” Lykins said.

Young worked on a number of the projects within the district. He also completed the forms that nominated Lykins and the district for the honor.

“When it came to looking to see where our top innovative projects were, they were throughout the district. We had solar at the high school, we have solar here at the district office, geothermal, there is all of the energy-efficiency projects that have been completed throughout the years, there’s the addition of the lab and all of the technology. All of this stuff is certainly innovative in school districts,” Lykins said.

The mission for the coalition is to invest in the local communities and schools through approving bonds and overrides, according to its website.