Resident asks about state solar grant; district schedules facilities town halls

A resident asked the school board on Jan. 13 whether the district planned to apply for recently announced state grant money for solar installations and requested an update on the district’s solar plans.

"I recently became aware of, the fact that the state is proposing grant money for solar installations, and so I don't know where Octorrera currently is in this," resident Kim Chappell said, adding she had sent a letter to Dr. Lever and to Mr. Hurley and asked for an update. An administrator replied, "Absolutely. Let's let's chat just after we're done. We can do that. We we can chat as soon as we're finished." The administrator offered to follow up directly after the meeting.

District leadership also advertised two upcoming town halls focused on the district’s 10‑year facilities plan — Jan. 16 and Feb. 3 — intended to present the plan and collect community questions. The superintendent (not named in the Jan. 13 transcript) said the town halls would allow the public to hear proposed options and to submit questions to be posted on the district website. The superintendent said the plan includes work on older buildings that will require significant funding and board decisions.

Why it matters: state grants could offset capital costs for renewable energy installations; the town halls are an early public engagement step on long‑range facilities decisions that will affect capital budgeting and building use.

Next steps: the administrator said staff would speak with the resident after the meeting about the solar grant and that town hall materials and answers to public questions will be posted online when available.