Haverford board votes to apply for Solar for Schools grants for Chatham Park and Linwood

The Haverford Township School District Board of Directors voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the board president and board secretary to sign documents to apply for Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Solar for Schools grants to install solar arrays at Chatham Park and Linwood elementary schools.

The vote came after several public comments from students and community members urging the board to pursue solar. Jason Baxter, a chemical engineering faculty member at Drexel University, told the board the district’s consultant estimated the Chatham system would supply roughly 101% of that school’s electricity and that combined projects could save about $1.2 million on electricity over 30 years. “Solar panels produce electricity with 10 times lower carbon footprint than our current grid mix,” Baxter said.

Board members and staff described the application as a time-sensitive opportunity. District staff said the Solar for Schools application window opened Nov. 1 and closes at the end of the month; awards would be announced by the Commonwealth Financing Authority in May, and the program operates on a reimbursement basis. Board member discussion emphasized that the vote tonight authorized applying only; specific contracts, bids and expenditures would come back to the board for approval if the district is awarded funds.

Acentro Engineering’s preliminary site assessments — provided to the board before the meeting — showed Chatham Park could offset about 101% of its electricity usage and reach positive cash flow in under seven years with grant assistance and in about 12 years without the grant. Linwood was estimated to generate about 54% of its electricity, with a payback under eight years with grant support and under 12 years without it. District staff said Linwood’s work would be funded initially from committed capital funds and Chatham’s costs would be part of a bond issue tied to renovation projects; the district would draw reimbursement funds as invoices are submitted if awarded.

Board members asked administrative staff to confirm that applying does not commit the district to proceed if awarded and to clarify funding sources and timelines; staff reiterated that applying does not obligate final spending and that any awarded reimbursement would be drawn down against documented invoices after the district spends on the project. Board members also noted the program preference for applicants who intend to proceed if awarded.

Public comment included multiple students from Coopertown, Linwood and Haverford Middle School who described school-based sustainability projects and urged the board to pursue educational and environmental benefits from on-site solar. Several speakers framed the projects as both educational tools and long-term financial savings for the district.

The motion to adopt the authorized-official resolution passed unanimously (motion moved and seconded; “All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes.”). If awarded, staff said the district would return to the board for approvals on contractor selection and construction contracts and would use the guaranteed energy savings (GESA) procurement method for the project contracts.

The board also heard a brief update that surplus grant funds would be reallocated by DCED to other applicants if bids come in under estimate or if applicants decline awards; staff emphasized there may be additional future rounds but none are guaranteed.

The district’s superintendent’s office and the facilities director were listed as the anticipated implementation leads; staff committed to share budget and bid details with the board if the grant is awarded.