Tredyffrin‑Easttown board votes to seek state Solar for Schools grant for Conestoga athletic fields

The Tredyffrin‑Easttown School District board voted to approve a resolution authorizing the district to apply for a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Solar for Schools grant to fund a solar array for the Conestoga High School field‑house athletic fields.

Dr. Oscar Torres told the board the program reduces costs for school solar projects and that the district qualifies to apply. He said eligibility is governed by regional applicant cost‑share rules and the department’s formula; the award is the lesser of $300,000 or 30% of a project’s cost, and the district’s application requests up to $133,384 to accommodate potential adjustments to the project estimate. The grant application deadline is Jan. 31, 2025.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the 30% figure and the cost‑share methodology. Dr. Robert Singh asked why the district’s share would be 30 percent; Dr. Torres replied it depends on regional metrics including market value and personal income aid ratios as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Finance chair Dr. Roberta Hatinsky thanked Torres and framed the effort as part of the district’s strategic search for grant funding to offset capital costs.

No members of the public spoke on the measure. A motion to approve the solar resolution was made and seconded; the board then voted verbally and the presiding officer announced the motion carried and the resolution passed.

Next steps: the administration will submit the grant application before the Jan. 31, 2025 deadline and report back to the board on award status and any required local match or resolution modification if the final project cost differs from the current estimate.