Board authorizes contract to remove and reinstall BMS solar panels as roof project proceeds

The Hendrick Hudson Central School District Board of Education authorized an agreement on July 23 to contract with a solar vendor (referred to in the meeting as Sunny) to remove and later reinstall the solar panels on the Blue Mountain School roof to allow a full roofing project that will include removal to the deck and asbestos abatement.

District staff told the board the resolution was a late addition to the agenda to give the district flexibility to proceed with removal and reinstallation if the capital project’s schedule requires it. The cost presented to the board for the solar removal and reinstall work was described in discussion as approximately $250,000; administrators said the district included a contingency in the bond for panel removal and replacement “up to like 300 something thousand dollars,” and that the estimate would be covered by that contingency. Officials also noted the district expects an additional cost estimate for lost energy revenue while the array is offline during roof work.

Board members asked whether the removal would incur additional costs and whether it would interfere with other capital work; administrators said the solar contractor’s charge and an estimate of lost generation revenue were factored into planning. The roof project was described as a full‑deck replacement that will remove existing asbestos‑containing roofing materials.

The board approved the resolution authorizing agreement with the solar contractor; administrators said the authorization allows the district to execute a contract if needed this year but does not by itself require the work to be performed immediately. The administration said it would return with contract details and scheduling as the capital project progresses.

No detailed contract award or vote tally by member names was recorded in the public portion of the transcript; the board voted on the item during the consent agenda process.