They've been doing the math at the Greater Essex County District School Board and the numbers are surprising.
Hydro costs have skyrocketed since 2014 even though the board is using less electricity.
Costs were up $500,000 in 2016 compared to 2014.
Ron LeClair, trustee with the Greater Essex County District School Board, attends the regular meeting of the board on January 17, 2017. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Trustee Ron LeClair says something has to change. "We heard tonight that the last two years of increases represented more of an increase than the previous five years combined, so certainly the province has to address this."
He he expects rates to be driven even higher by new carbon pricing policies rolled out by both the federal and provincial governments.
"There isn't enough funding coming from the province to cover the hydro bill," says LeClair. "That has to come from our operations, so that coupled with what is already a troubling funding model, makes it so difficult for us to balance our budget."
LeClair says the board reduced its energy usage by 2.4-million kilowatt hours in 2015 and 2.1-million in 2016 but the rates increase in both years.
He's now considering seeking the support of the board to push the province for proper hydro funding.