Controlling Costs is the Name of the Game: A Conversation with Darnell Deans of William Penn District (PA)

Representing diverse public sector voices from across the country, NCSI’s Advisory Committee members bring a wealth of expertise and experience from the field that has helped shape NCSI’s priorities. Over the course of this year, we are featuring Advisory Committee members speaking about insights gained through their work to drive school infrastructure improvements. Here we interviewed Darnell Deans, Chief of Operations at William Penn School District in Lansdowne, PA, to hear his advice for the field on the environmental and financial benefits of going green.

When Darnell Deans talks about school facilities, he’s not just talking bricks and mortar—he’s talking people, possibility, and the kind of long-range planning that keeps a school district moving forward, even under immense financial pressure. As Chief of Operations for the William Penn District in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Deans brings passion, pragmatism, and a strategic mindset to a role that, in his own assessment, requires a delicate balance between being responsive and relentlessly innovative..

Darnell started his career in facilities as a 19-year-old facilities director for a nonprofit in Philadelphia. In that job, he managed two buildings, one brand new and the other nearly a century old. “That job taught me that there’s more than one way to get something done,” Darnell says, a lesson that serves him well at William Penn.

“We’re a suburban district with city problems,” he says. Serving 4800 students—nearly half of whom receive SNAP benefits—maintaining 12 aging school buildings, and facing continual budgetary challenges, William Penn District under Darnell’s facilities leadership has found decarbonization to make financial, not just environmental, sense. “Going green—it’s not just the environmentalist in me, its also the pragmatist as well. Going green is the best way that I can control costs,” Darnell explains.

Going Off the Grid—By Design

Deans is nothing if not future-focused. His ultimate goal? Take the district off the grid.

“Alternative energy isn’t a trend—it’s the only way I can control costs long-term,” he says. “The sun is going to rise every day. I can’t say the same about fossil fuels.”

With federal grants and robust state programs in his back pocket, Deans is electrifying transportation with 25 incoming electric buses, retrofitting buildings for solar readiness, and installing air-to-air heat pump systems that drastically improve energy efficiency.

His next project: a full energy restoration of the Ninth Grade Academy, funded through a federal grant, featuring LED retrofits and a complete HVAC overhaul. It’s a massive investment in infrastructure—but also a bet on cost control and long-term savings.

Building Futures with Brains and Budget Sense

One of Deans’ most urgent priorities? Air quality.

“To me, upgrading HVAC and improving air quality is huge, so right now we are focusing on the decarbonization of as many campuses as possible. I want us to get as close to net zero as possible, as soon as possible,” says Darnell. It’s not just about sustainability for the planet—it’s about freeing up dollars that can go back into classrooms and to further proactive maintenance.

He’s quick to point out that while the district has had notable success with state grants—securing millions for renovations—most of that money disappears behind the walls. “People hear $7 million and expect a new campus, but the reality is, it went to things they’ll never see, like HVAC upgrades and foundational work.”

Still, the strategic focus is yielding results. Under Deans’ leadership, the district is three years into a 10-year facilities plan prioritizing air quality, ADA compliance, and safety across William Penn’s 12 schools. Two campuses are slated for major additions, and nearly 70% of the district’s infrastructure is undergoing some level of transformation.

Collaborative Teams, Big Impact

Deans’ leadership is core to William Penn meeting so many of the district’s strategic goals. But he doesn’t give himself the credit. First in line for his accolades: his facilities team. William Penn District does not have a full-time facilities staff but rather a cadre of contractors—a lean team of eight skilled tradespeople. Deans knows that every staffing decision is a trade-off. His mantra: get the most bang for your buck. 

Deans also has a regional professional network of peers, colleagues, and local experts he taps when problems arise. They maintain an ongoing email thread. “It’s like a group chat,” he says. “If you’ve got a problem, you throw it in there, and someone’s dealt with it. That kind of collaboration is priceless.”

Deans is excited for the launch of NCSI’s new website, especially because it will provide a one-stop shop for practitioners to tap into other experts and promising practices. “If there’s an FAQ that says ‘these are our best practices’, we can go just to the website and see. That’ll be so helpful.”

Whether he’s searching for new contractors in the field when facilities emergencies pop up, or thinking long-term about getting William Penn to net zero, Deans’s approach to collaboration remains the same—give as much as you get. 

Advice for the Next Generation

His advice to anyone stepping into this work? “Find your focus and stay laser-guided towards it.”

For Deans, that focus is going green—not for the accolades, but for the long-term cost savings that sustainability brings. His perspective isn’t about ideology—it’s about operational control.

“Controlling costs is the name of the game. And for me, the sun is my ace in the hole.”

Closing Thoughts

Darnell Deans is proof that the best operations leaders are part visionary, part realist, and all heart. He’s not waiting for perfect conditions—he’s building smarter systems today so that his district can thrive tomorrow. With a 10-year plan in motion, grants in the pipeline, and a laser-focused mission to go green, the future of his schools looks a little brighter every day—literally.