Solar energy project could save thousands for HCS

A green energy project being considered by the Hillsboro City Schools has the potential to save the district more than $53,000 over a 23-month period, with the potential for more savings in electricity in future years. 

The Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education, during their monthly meeting Wednesday, discussed the proposed installation of solar panels on the hill behind Hillsboro High School/Middle School. 

Superintendent Rick Earley said that approximately 4,000 panels would be installed and set at a 36-degree angle, which is "optimal" for getting maximum energy from the panels. The initial installation of the panels would be of no cost to the district.

A group of board members and district staff members met with Sol Venus Partners regarding the solar-powered electricity project. 

Earley said that the company has investors who fund projects to non-profit groups such as school districts, and the companies receive tax breaks for the donations. After six years, the district has the option of buying the panels, but they do not have to.

Adams County school districts, Earley said, are looking into solar power as well but have mostly gone with roof-mounted panels. The Hillsboro schools do not have room on the roofs for the panels, but installing them on the hillside, according to Earley, allows the maximum amount of energy to be produced because of the angle. 

Board member Ken Shull said that Sol Venus Partners had a very impressive presentation, and that the solar panels would be fenced-off, and that they could be arranged in the shape of an H. 

Earley said that the district's legal counsel has reviewed the contract and said that "it's a win" situation with "little-to-no risk." While there are some items in the contract that need further discussion, he said, it was recommended that the district approve the contract so the company can proceed with a feasibility study. 

If the project is ultimately approved, it would be late fall before they are installed. 

"If we save $53,000 over 23 months, there's no telling how much savings we could have over 20 years," said board member Bill Myers. 

Board president Laura Bagshaw said that she endorsed the project and that maybe "between now and six years from now there will be funds available for green energy projects so we can purchase the panels."

Earley said that the company would also supply a curriculum so that students can learn about solar energy, and there would be a link on the school's website that would show real-time status of the panels, how much energy they are producing at a given time, and what they produce each month. 

The panels would supply electricity to the high school/middle school facility, Hillsboro Elementary and the district bus garage. 

Initial work will be done by Kastle Electric in Dayton, Earley said, but they will utilize local contractors as much as possible. 

Shull said that electric companies are also endorsing moves like this because a federal mandate is requiring that they increase their usage of renewable energy. 

The board voted 6-0 to approve the contract. 

In other business, the board:

• Heard a presentation from Kevin Black, the district's technology coordinator regarding technical maintenance of the district's computer networks and phone systems. Black outlined how the networks function, the equipment that keeps them running, and the costs the district would have to spent if key pieces should go down or need replaced. In addition to the computer and phone systems, the PA systems, security cameras, heating and air conditioning, clocks and wireless security would also be affected. The contract with DataServ is for $42,000 for the school year ending in 2013, which includes maintenance and some licensing. On the district's current maintenance schedule, they would have spent $63,442 for the school year ending in 2013. The board voted 6-0 to approve the contract.

• Heard district treasurer Debbie Lawwell report that the January cash balance was $3,653,819, compared to the same time last year when it was $3,711,663. Total expenses for the month were $1,665,397. Shull reported to the board on the meeting of the finance committee, saying that Lawwell projected that there may be a slight surplus at the end of the year. Shull said that he believed the district could break even, or face a slight deficit. The deficit, he said, would be no more than $100,000. 

Taking a joking tone, Shull said, "At that rate, we can continue for 32 more years before we deplete the general fund."

• Voted 6-0 to approve sick leave for three employees. 

• Voted 6-0 to accept the resignation of LaRue Turner as boys tennis coach, effective Jan. 25, 2011. Earley said that Turner was retiring from a job in another district, and that after three months the district intended to hire him back.

• Voted 6-0 to approve a study abroad trip for high school students to Costa Rica for the summer of 2012.

• Voted to go into executive session to discuss property and evaluations. 

• Voted 6-0 to accept the following donations: Dr. Lesia Langston-McKenna and Judge David McKenna, to cheerleading in the amount of $750; from Ken and Carol Shull to cupola construction in the amount of $950; from Chelsey Howland to Camp Joy, garage sale materials, $250; from New Sabina Industries, $1,697; from Timberlane Sporting Goods to the National Honor Society, $20; from Highland County Community Action, $1,000; from the Hillsboro Rotary Club to Hillsboro Elementary, 200 dictionaries; from Beverly Hottle to the student council, $35; from the Hillsboro PTO to the elementary for supplies, $1,500; from Ruth Thurman to early childhood for hats and gloves, $50; from the Lions club the Hugh O'Brian Award, $150; from S&S Contractors, $300 in labor. 

• Voted 6-0 to approve the following employment, contingent upon background checks and proper certifications: supplementals - Kevin Barreras, assistant tennis coach; Jessica Biven, assistant softball coach; James Brady, assistant softball coach, Gary Breeden, assistant softball coach; Bronwyn Jones, musical director; Cheryl Knippen, middle school track coach; Amber Loomis, assistant girls track coach; Rodger Marsh, middle school track coach; Alam May, assistant baseball coach; Tom Milbery, middle school track coach; Ryker Miller, assistant baseball coach; Justin Noggle, assistant track coach; Rob Snavely, assistant track coach; Jarrod Weiss, musical director; Rick Wilson, volunteer for baseball; sub certificated - Christina Chaney; Lori Clifford; Whitney Hofacker; sub classified - Richard Burns.