Utility bills will decrease in the Knoch School District.

The school board approved a new three-year contract on Wednesday after a presentation at last week’s school board meeting by Mike Ripper of Direct Energy Business. The board voted to approve a contract with the company to lock in gas and electric rates.

Superintendent David Foley said Ripper recommended a 36- or 48-month contract, which would lock in rates much lower than those currently being paid by the district.

Knoch currently pays 17 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity and $8 per unit for natural gas.

With the three-year contract agreed upon by the board, those rates will drop to 8 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity and $5 per unit for gas, Foley said.

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