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Board directs reduced Ventura High solar footprint, preserving senior lawn after large public turnout
Summary
After extensive public comment urging preservation of Ventura High School’s senior lawn, trustees gave staff consensus to move forward with a reduced solar footprint (Option 2) that excludes the quad canopy but keeps other VHS installations. Staff said the change lowers districtwide 30‑year savings modestly and adds construction change‑order costs; they also stressed a tight timeline to preserve NM‑2.0 interconnection benefits.
Ventura Unified trustees on Oct. 8 directed staff to pursue a reduced solar design for Ventura High School, removing a proposed canopy over the senior lawn while continuing the districtwide solar program at other campus locations.
Staff presented three options and the estimated districtwide 30‑year savings for the entire 25‑site portfolio: roughly $106 million with the full VHS canopy (Option 1); about $102 million if the VHS quad canopy is removed but other VHS arrays remain (Option 2); and about $95 million if VHS is removed completely (Option 3). Presenters said the difference between Option 1 and Option 2 would reduce long‑term savings by roughly $4 million — about $133,000 a year — and that building Option 1 would add roughly $1 million in construction change‑order cost for VHS (Option 2’s change order was estimated near $452,000). If VHS were removed entirely the project could generate roughly a $2 million credit back into the overall project budget.
A large public turnout urged the board to preserve the VHS senior lawn, citing safety, student mental‑health space, accessibility and campus aesthetics. Speakers included former and current staff, alumni, parents and community groups raising tree‑loss, ADA access, and concerns about industrializing a student gathering space.
Staff and the vendor (NG) explained technical constraints, topography and interconnection rules with the utility (NM‑2.0 grandfathering). Ashu J (NG) said the district has filed for Net Metering 2.0 and must finish the project by April 2026 to preserve those favorable interconnection terms; missing that deadline would reduce long‑term savings under future net‑metering rules.
After public comment and trustee discussion, the board declined Option 1 and reached a consensus to proceed with Option 2 (exclude the senior lawn canopy but continue other VHS installations and the districtwide program). Trustees framed the choice as balancing significant long‑term savings against preserving a key student green space; they instructed staff to proceed on timelines that protect utility interconnection grandfathering and to continue community outreach.
Votes at a glance: earlier in the meeting the board unanimously approved routine action items including Resolution 24‑19 (state preschool funding continuation), HR provisional permits, and multiple contract awards (Ventura High scoreboard contract to Ardalon Construction for $49,800; BUA scoreboard to Ardalon Construction for $349,800; EP Foster Annex stucco removal to Wisman Construction for $380,000). The board approved the consent calendar unanimously and adjourned later in the meeting.
What’s next: staff will refine construction documents for the reduced VHS footprint, continue necessary Division of State Architect submittals and proceed with the districtwide schedule to preserve NM‑2.0 interconnection eligibility.
