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Valley Central board rejects high-school solar pilot but votes to explore NYSERDA energy audit
Summary
After a broad discussion of renewables and district priorities, the Valley Central Board voted 1–6 to decline seeking a price estimate for a high-school solar pilot and 6–1 to request cost information for a district-wide energy audit with NYSERDA.
Valley Central School District (Montgomery) — The Board of Education on Nov. 10 declined a motion to seek a price estimate for a solar pilot at the high school’s fields and carports, then approved pursuing cost information for a potential district-wide energy audit from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
The proposal to request a solar pilot estimate — described by proponents as a way to test solar generation on athletic fields or carport structures — failed on a roll-call-style voice vote, 1–6. Board member Fran said she supported beginning with a single pilot at the high school to understand potential savings. “I would love to get more information about solar energy,” she said during the discussion, suggesting a phased approach and examination of available grants.
Members opposing the pilot cited competing capital priorities. “We have so many priorities,” one board member said, noting the upcoming Walden Elementary project, athletic-field needs and other five-year-plan commitments. Several trustees favored folding clean-energy considerations into planned capital work rather than commissioning a separate estimate now.
On a separate question, the board voted 6–1 to request an estimate of the cost to obtain an energy audit from NYSERDA for the entire district. Board member Jane said a NYSERDA audit could provide a baseline of current energy usage and identify cost-effective, district-wide opportunities. “I think we need to have a long-term plan first before we can start saying, ‘I want to look at solar carports at the high school,’ ” she said, urging a district-level perspective.
The NYSERDA inquiry will seek information about scope and potential funding or grant options; the board directed staff to determine the cost to the district and report back. No binding procurement or construction decisions were made; the actions were limited to information-gathering and next steps.
What’s next: Staff will request NYSERDA cost information and report back to the board. If the audit is feasible and funded, any resulting capital or pilot work would return to the board for approval.
