Facilities committee backs solar canopy at high school, seeks clarity on lifespan and removal costs

The Regional School District 05 Facilities Committee voted Feb. 4, 2025, to recommend a proposed solar canopy at the district high school to the full board, while asking staff to clarify long-term maintenance and removal responsibilities.

Staff told the committee that Titan will present to the full board Monday and provided a preliminary mockup of how the canopy would look. Committee members asked for a clearer rendering and pressed on what would happen when panels reach the end of their useful life — would panels be removed, replaced, or simply remain as nonfunctional carports, and which party would pay for removal or replacement decades from now.

Terry Lumis said staff will double-check those questions with the vendor and the district attorney, and noted an attorney is already reviewing the application template. Lumis said the working assumption is that the district would not be responsible for removal because it does not own the arrays, but that staff will confirm and clarify terms in the vendor agreement.

A motion to send the project to the full board for approval was made, seconded and approved by roll call (Mr Reid — yes; Mr Haror — yes; Mr McDon — yes). Titan is scheduled to present details and updated visuals to the full board at the next meeting.

Next steps: staff will ask Titan for a clearer rendering and will confirm contract terms and end-of-life responsibilities with the district attorney before the full-board presentation.