District updates clean-energy work; geothermal wells being drilled at Starr Elementary

The Clean Energy Advisory Committee told the Green Bay Area Public School District Board of Education on May 19 that it is advancing plans to lower the district's carbon footprint, including drilling geothermal wells at the new Starr Elementary School site.

Committee update and scope: Committee members said they are finalizing a survey of students, families and community members to guide next steps and will continue work with McKinstry, the district's engineering firm, on an electrification roadmap and opportunities to expand solar across district buildings. Committee members also described background benchmarking performed under the grant-funded Net 0 Pathways program to assess energy use at multiple schools.

Geothermal drilling at Starr Elementary: The committee and board members described geothermal well drilling currently underway at the Starr Elementary site. "We are drilling geothermal wells at Starr Elementary," the committee presenter said, and a board member who visited the site noted the work is ahead of schedule. In board comments, one member estimated the site has "like a hundred maybe" wells in progress (estimate provided on site visit and presented as approximate).

Student engagement and next steps: Committee members said they are working to incorporate student learning opportunities tied to the geothermal and electrification projects. The district expects the survey to inform committee recommendations to the board about possible future investments in solar or other electrification projects.

Ending: The committee will continue work with McKinstry and report back with survey results and recommended pathways for the district's clean-energy goals.