On Monday, April 21, Brock Johnson, of Solar Connections, spoke to the Kingsland School Board about the proposed solar installation contract.
“It is a 203.4 kilowatts DC ground mount solar array. Total project is $392,562, the important thing is the payback period, which is between four and five years. It’s really good in the solar world if you can get payback within five years,” Johnson explained. “Through the state of Minnesota, Kingsland has been approved for that amount with the Solar for School grant. We submitted and got approved for it so the funds are earmarked for this project. In addition to that there is a 30% federal rebate. That does not come right away. It comes by your fiscal year, so once the project is completed you can submit the paperwork and the next fiscal year you will get the money back.”
Johnson shared the panels should produce 30% of what the district annually uses in utilities consumption. This savings is estimated at $25,000 a year.
“The panels come with a 30-year production warranty and a 25-year workmanship warranty. So if the panel goes out within the next 25 years it is replaced at no cost to the customer,” Johnson shared. “The nice part about these panels is that we get them from a distributer here in Minnesota, Van Meter, Inc., and they are the ones that back that warranty.”
It was noted Solar Connections has done solar installations for other districts including the Caledonia School District, the La Crosse School District, Marshall School District and Houston School District.
“I look at it as an investment to the school,” board member Brady Wolfgram said. “I think it’s a pretty good return on the investment.”
The board voted to award the solar contract to Solar Connections.
Driver’s Education
Superintendent Scott Klavetter told the board there will be a new company taking over the Driver’s Education Program offered through Community Education after the owner of Driver’s Training 101, Todd Ingalls, unexpectedly passed away.
“Becky (Bicknese, Community Education Director) has been in communication with the state, but it is going to be more of a process. As it turns out Community Ed helps organize, provides the space and provides the structure for the kids that sign up, but the state actually has pretty tight control on who they license to be able to license kids to drive. So all of that has to go through the state,” Klavetter explained.
Bicknese is currently working with a new company to arrange for them to take over the classes and the behind the wheel training.
Any students who already completed their class work and are now waiting for the driving training through the former company can reach out to Bicknese with any questions.
Other business
The board thanked Kingsland School Parents (KSP) for their donation of $298 for the third grade field trip to the planetarium. They also thanked Kingsland Athletic Booster Club (KABC) for their $3,000 donation to the Kingsland Volleyball for Standards.
Absentee voting is now available through May 12 for the referendum vote. Residents can vote in person at the district office from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. or they can request a mail-in absentee ballot application by contacting Jill Ramaker at ramaker.jill@kingsland2137.org. Regular voting will open on May 13.
As part of the upcoming referendum, the district is required to submit the proposed construction project for review by the Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner of Education. The board recently received the statement from the commissioner, which gave the district a positive review and comment for the project.
The board approved the superintendent and principal contracts.
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