Solar power project OK'd by school board

Hamburg — Wallkill Valley Regional High school officials are looking forward to a greener future. Superintendent Joseph DiPasquale calls a project to install solar panels on the high school roof a “no-brainer.” “If it works out for us, it will turn a nice profit for all four towns,” he said. The school board approved a resolution to bond for the project at its Nov. 24 meeting. Solar energy converts sunlight into electricity. DiPasquale anticipates selling the energy the panels would generate back to the utility company at a profit and using those expected profits to pay for the bulk of the project. He says there is state funding to pay for 40 percent of the cost but the remaining 60 percent would have to be funded through the sale of bonds. The actual cost is still unknown until figures come back from the state. DiPasquale says if voters approve the project, it will become part of the school’s curriculum because the math and science departments can monitor the savings, which are expected to accrue over a 15-year period. He calls the project extremely important to the district considering the state’s current financial crisis, however, he’s quick to say that the district itself is in excellent financial shape as evidenced by last year’s tax cuts in three of the district’s four towns. Business administrator Elizabeth Flatt says the school district is always trying to plan for the future and it takes into account the uncertainty of state aid. She adds that this project seems to have unanimous support from the school board. “We don’t want to raise taxes for the taxpayers. We’re always looking to future ways to save money and the environment.” The board of education plans on a vote on the referendum at its Jan. 26 meeting. A public hearing will be scheduled to take place by mid-January. Flatt says if the project is approved the work would most likely take place in the summertime.