To the editor:
We, the voters of the ConVal School District, have a wonderful opportunity to make a positive change for the children of our community. The biggest challenge facing our children is the climate crisis. As a community we have done little to show that we care about this problem, which hangs heavily over their heads. The school board is currently in negotiations to put solar panels on the roof of the high school. There is a solar panel installer who works with impact investors who are willing to cover the cost of the installation and will sell the electricity produced back to the district at a rate lower than our current supplier’s rate. After six years the district will have the option of buying the array from the investors, or continuing to purchase the electricity produced by the array from the investors. In the latter case there will be no cost to the district other than the cost of the electricity used. The superintendent is currently working on a letter of intent with the solar panel installer. Negotiations must be completed in time for the production of a warrant article to be voted on in our next school district vote in March. The investors are depending on a 26% tax rebate which will decrease at the end of 2020, so time is of the essence. Please support this exciting initiative and show our students that we really do care by coming to the school board meeting on Jan. 21, by attending the deliberative session on Feb. 4, and then by voting for this project in March.
Bryan Field
Peterborough