District Administration - February 2010 - (Page 14)

Facilities & Construction Largest District Solar Project Planned Br iefings by Marion Herbert The IRVIne UnIfIeD School viable, it’s important for the kids to District in Southern California have some kind of knowledge on has confirmed plans to install sothem as they enter into adulthood,” lar panels in 21 of its 38 facilities. says Mark Sontag, curriculum coThe installation is predicted to ordinator for math and science at save the district some $17 million Irvine Unified School District. over the next 20 years. “Very rarely is a school district In november 2009, Irvine fipresented with an opportunity to nalized an agreement with SPG save millions of dollars in energy Solar, Inc., project developers and costs, implement a new curriculum designers of solar power systems. and substantially reduce its carbon “Irvine was groundbreaking,” Aerial view of Meadow Park Elementary School of IUSD shows footprint,” says Superintendent says Thomas Rooney, CeO and where solar panels are to be installed. Gwen Gross. “This plan will acpresident of SPG Solar. “It was complish all three without our disthe largest and most ambitious solar proj- 20-year payout. trict incurring any upfront costs.” ect for a K12 school in the country.” Irvine’s commitment to sustainable Although the timeline for this projIrvine agreed to lease solar panels energy goes beyond the installation of ect has not been carved in stone, Gross through Sunedison, a solar energy com- solar hardware, however. The district also expects installation to begin at Rancho pany that finances, operates and monitors plans to integrate solar energy discussions San Joaquin Middle School in late March solar plants, and purchase the electricity into the curriculum. 2010. All 21 sites are scheduled to be generated at each site at a fixed rate over a “As different forms of energy become completed within three to four years. Texas District To Build Multipurpose Dome Using FEMA Grant In DeceMber 2009, SuperIntenDent Steven Self of the Woodsboro (texas) Independent School District received news from u.S. rep. rubén Hinojosa (D-texas) that his district would receive $1.5 million from the Federal emergency Management Agency (FeMA) to build a dome structure that would serve both as a school multipurpose area and a community shelter. Woodsboro, located along the Gulf coast, has proven vulnerable to damage from storms, such as Hurricane Ike in 2009. Self had applied for a FeMA hurricane and tornado preDisaster Mitigation Grant through the state nearly a year ago. In 2005, the Woodsboro school was in need of an upgrade. “the school was in bad shape,” says Self. “It was run down and hadn’t been updated since the 1980s.” the community voted yes on a $10 million bond issue. Woodsboro officials used these funds to renovate much of the district’s school, but they were still in need of a modern space for a gym, auditorium and community center— with $2 million left in their budget. Self investigated dome structures because of their cost-effective, energy-efficient construction and their ability to withstand severe weather. Self learned of an opportunity to apply for FeMA funding through the texas Division of emergency Management for a school building that could also serve as a shelter to house most of the community. Woodsboro is one of three districts Architectural rendering of Woodsboro’s dome structure. in recent months to receive funding for dome shelters from FeMA, including niangua, Mo., and Fowler, Kan. “Getting this FeMA grant was so important to Woodsboro,” says David South, president of the Monolithic Dome Institute. “they’re able to save money and have a gorgeous auditorium.” the construction on the Woodsboro multipurpose center is expected to take one year. Self hopes to break ground early this year and be completed by spring recess 2011. 14 February 2010 District Administration

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - February 2010

District Administration - February 2010
Contents
Advertiser Index
News Update
Facilities Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
New Books
Problem/ Solution
Pursuing Peace in Chicago
English Language Learner Charter Schools
Tweeting Your Own Horn
Tech Disruptions
Professional Opinion
Research Center
New Products
Product Focus

District Administration - February 2010