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Verona board OKs up to $250,000 district match for community-led solar project
Summary
The Verona Area School District board voted to commit up to $250,000 from facilities maintenance funds to match private fundraising for a Sustain Verona-led rooftop solar array at Verona High School, after hearing project updates on fundraising, grant and federal rebate timelines and educational benefits.
The Verona Area School District board voted to provide up to $250,000 in matching funds to support a community-led effort to install solar panels on Verona High School, the board approved unanimously.
Sustain Verona volunteer Dave (Sustain Verona representative) told the board the group has raised $32,000 toward a $250,000 fundraising goal and plans a public campaign of yard signs, brochures and donor recognition. "We've also started fundraising and I'm happy to say we've already got $32,000 of the $250,000 raised," Dave said. He said reaching roughly $100,000 by the end of the year would allow Sustain Verona and the district to issue an RFP and secure a contractor.
Board discussion emphasized the projected financial and educational returns. Chad (district staff member) said the district share ‘‘would pay itself back in 5 years’’ and that over the life of the array the district could save about $1.4 million in energy costs while reducing carbon emissions by roughly 200 tons per year. He also described plans to site the initial array above vocational spaces at the high school so science and engineering classes could use live production data for instruction.
The board motion to provide up to $250,000 in matching funds was moved by Christopher (board member) and seconded by Joe (board member). The board voted in favor; no members registered opposition. Following the vote, board members encouraged Sustain Verona to continue fundraising and outreach to neighboring municipalities and community organizations.
Project supporters described how potential federal tax credits and rebates could reduce net costs. Sustain Verona and a district solar consultant said qualifying for a 30% federal rebate would depend on project timing and component sourcing; the consultant advised that meeting a midyear start date could increase rebate eligibility but would also introduce additional documentation requirements. The consultant and Sustain Verona staff said additional grants might add as much as $40,000 to the project budget.
The district intends to fund its match from the current facilities maintenance budget and does not anticipate a budget amendment for the contribution. The superintendent’s office said the board would receive RFP updates and periodic progress reports if fundraising milestones are met.
Board members and staff framed the investment as both fiscal and curricular: beyond energy savings, they said the array would provide classroom data for science and math instruction and create student learning opportunities in renewable energy and sustainability.
Next steps: Sustain Verona will continue fundraising; the district will authorize an RFP if fundraising reaches the agreed benchmark and will update the board on grant and rebate eligibility.
