Haysville board approves solar panels for natatorium and transportation facility after roof review

The Haysville USD 261 Board of Education voted to install solar panels on the Campus High School natatorium and on the district's transportation facility after staff reviewed roof condition, warranty claims and rebate timing.

During the facilities discussion staff reported granular loss on the natatorium's existing roof and a manufacturer warranty claim of roughly $23,300. Facilities staff and the construction manager-at-risk advised that installing a TPO roof overlay before or with the solar installation would be the most cost-effective approach; staff provided a preliminary budget estimate of about $118,000 for the overlay and noted an approximate 30% rebate would reduce the district's net cost in the scenario presented. The board discussed using capital-improvement funds to cover the work.

BJ (staff member) briefed the board on warranty details and rebate timing; he said the warranty claim and a roof overlay would reduce future roof work because the solar panels would also protect the new surface. Board member Jeremy moved approval of the solar installations and Tasha seconded. The motion passed 5-2; the board asked staff to return with final procurement documents and a project timeline.

The board recorded the roof overlay as a separate capital-improvement task to be funded from the district's capital budget. Staff indicated they expect to meet rebate safe-harbor requirements by spending a portion of project funds prior to year-end. The board will consider final vendor contracts and construction schedules at a future meeting.

No expenditure amounts beyond the preliminary estimates and the warranty claim were adopted at the meeting; staff said final contract amounts will be brought back to the board for approval.