Panther Valley School District is considering using district property for a solar project to save on energy bills in years to come.

The savings from the project could be used to fund other needed projects in the district.

On Wednesday, school board members discussed a proposal from McClure Co. to build solar arrays on the Junior-Senior High School campus.

“We would get savings on our electrical bills. We would be buying power through them at a discounted rate,” said Jesse Walck, business manager for Panther Valley School District.

The board has made no commitments, but the proposal they considered is for a 999 kilowatt project, on existing fields on the northwest corner of the campus.

McClure would build the arrays. The district would agree to purchase power from McClure for up to 30 years, and in the process pay back the cost of construction. The district could also buy the project outright after five years.

McClure says that the district’s annual cost will be less than it would pay if it kept its existing electric provider. McClure would pass along the savings it receives from using the Solar Investment Tax Credit, a federal program available to businesses and individuals, but not school districts.

The district currently spends $129,815 per year on electric for its three school buildings. McClure estimates that solar would save the district $4,425 in the first year. Estimated savings would increase each year to 73,334 in the 30th and final year of the contract - a cumulative savings of $1 million.

McClure says that the district could also use some of the money it will save to replace outdated electrical equipment in district buildings now.

Board members said they want to host McClure at a future meeting to further discuss the proposal.

Other business

In other business, the school board:

• Hired Dylan Ryzner as a Junior-Senior High School math teacher at a salary of $39,908; and Ryan DeLong as a JSHS science teacher at a salary of $65,470.

• Hired Greg Surotchak as golf coach at a cost of $1,500.

• Accepted the resignation of Jennifer Schock, JSHS social studies teacher, effective the end of the 2021-22 school year.