Solar panels at Ann Sobrato and Live Oak high schools can move
forward thanks to a $25 million grant from the federal government.
Morgan Hill Unified School District was one of 43 districts out of
more than 230 applicants to be selected from a state lottery this
morning that doled out about $700 million in Qualified School
Construction Bond tax credits.
Solar panels at Ann Sobrato and Live Oak high schools can move forward thanks to a $25 million grant from the federal government.
Morgan Hill Unified School District was one of 43 districts out of more than 230 applicants to be selected from a state lottery this morning that doled out about $700 million in Qualified School Construction Bond tax credits.
“It was definitely the luck of the draw, so I was pretty excited,” Peggy Roberts, the district’s solar manager, said.
Roberts declined to put a pricetag on the planned solar project, since the district is currently in negotiations. Roberts also couldn’t say how else the $25 million will be spent. Deputy Superintendent of Business Services Bonnie Tognazzini was not immediately available for comment.
Roberts said the solar panels would pay for themselves in about 15 years.
The no-interest bond is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was signed into law by President Barack Obama in February. The act allows tax credits on $22 billion nationwide to the school construction bond for this year and next.
“This tax credit program will jump start new school construction and modernization projects throughout the state that, in turn, will stimulate the economy and create jobs,” State Superintendent Jack O’Connell said in a statement. “The Qualified School Construction Bond program will not infuse communities with new money but will help school districts use their local bond dollars more efficiently. Finding new ways to save money is especially welcome by school districts in these tight budgetary times. I deeply appreciate President Barack Obama and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan for providing California this economic stimulus program to help us rebuild our state’s school buildings.”
More information will be added Monday.
