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Upper Darby signs six state 'Solar for Schools' grants; board to decide which projects to fund
Summary
Superintendent Dr. McGarry told the board that the district was awarded six state Solar for Schools grants, that he and CFO Craig Rogers signed the awards to preserve the opportunities, and that the district will return to the board with financing and project proposals.
Superintendent Dr. McGarry told the board the district applied for and was awarded six state Solar for Schools grants and that the district received “the highest amount of money in the state of Pennsylvania.” He said he and Chief Financial Officer Craig Rogers signed the grants over the weekend to preserve the district’s ability to proceed, and that the board will be asked at a future public meeting to select which projects to implement.
“Over the weekend, Craig Rogers and I signed the grants,” Dr. McGarry said. He said the district had told the board in June that staff would continue to gather financial details over the summer and recommended that the board allow administrators to sign the grants and return later with financing information and recommendations.
Dr. McGarry told the board that if financial reviews later show the district cannot afford a given solar installation, the district may withdraw from a project “at no cost to the district and at no harm to the school district.” He cautioned that accepting the state grants does not guarantee any additional federal subsidies. He said implementing projects will likely involve new roofs and that the district will provide a public financing plan and specific project recommendations before asking the board to approve construction or leases.
The superintendent said the administration learned more about the grants after an August meeting in which board members said they were not yet comfortable moving ahead with all projects. He said the state indicated administrators could sign now and, after further financial review, choose which projects to proceed with.
An emailed public commenter, Dr. Meredith Haag of Clifton Heights, thanked the board for keeping the grants open for consideration and urged the district to pursue projects to “improve our schools and give our children a more livable climate future.”
Discussion versus decision: the administration reported that it has signed the awards to preserve funding opportunities and will return with financing options and a proposed list of projects; the board has not yet authorized any construction or contracts.
Background: Dr. McGarry said the district submitted grant applications to offset energy costs and that the team wrote successful proposals over the summer. He said the district plans to present at least one project for consideration and that the board “has more of an appetite to see us implement 1, if not more of these projects,” but any action will be a public board decision after staff present financing and project details.
