BLANCHESTER — Blanchester schools may be powered by solar energy systems in the future.
During Monday’s Blanchester School Board meeting, Treasurer Darlene Kassner gave an update on the project she first shared with the board during a special meeting in June.
Two representatives from energy provider Solar Power & Light, LLC, out of Dayton were also present to answer any questions and share information about how their company works.
Greg Akers, New Business Development Director at SP&L, told the board that this would be good for taxpayers because the energy generated for the schools would lessen the burden of money the district has to come up with.
“This could save you anywhere between $200,000 and $450,000 in the next 25 years,” said Akers. “Which is a lot of money that you can be invested back into public programs.”
SP&L Chief Operating Officer Brent Boyd gave details on the technical aspect of the solar power systems.
There would be one power system for the middle and high school and another one for the elementary school.
“We’re prepared to make a roughly $1.5 million investment in this district,” said Boyd. “This isn’t something new for Ohio or the country.”
He told the board the investment would give them back $750,000 in tax credits. After six years, once they harvest the tax credits, the school would own that money.
No date is set for when the new systems would be installed. Both Kassner and Boyd indicated there were still some legal issues involving other parties that need to be worked out before the district could make the decision to implement the system.
Also during the meeting:
Board President Todd Bandow gave his opinion in regards to the possibility of arming school employees. Bandow was not at the July meeting where it was first introduced due to undergoing back surgery.
He stated, “Our main focus is not for action, but as a deterrent.”
He discussed his own weapons training and also how he believes that having the armed staff members would deter a potential shooter, comparing it to a homeowner having a gun. “If someone knows you have a gun in your house, they’re going to move on to the next house.”
