The announcement of a solar agreement for the Los Alamitos Unified School District has created such interest that its superintendent has announced the district will hold a series of public outreach meetings in the next couple of weeks.
“We have been working on this (agreement) for the past year,” Dr. Andrew Pulver, Supt., told the LAUSD board on Tuesday, noting the district’s significant and long-held interest in utilizing solar energy.
A power purchase agreement, including solar energy generation, said Pulver, had been determined to be the best route for the district to take advantage of solar energy.
The solar arrays will be installed on limited strategically placed structures at all campuses, said Pulver. This will provide some solar power generation along with shade for outdoor activities, he said.
Under the agreement, the district will buy a generated power at a negotiated price for the next 30 years. According to Facilities Director C.J. Knowland, unused power will be stored in batteries owned by the system for future use.
The price certainty could ultimately save the district approximately $16 million over the term of the agreement, said Pulver while PFMG will provide, and install, all the needed solar structures. At the end of the agreement, Pulver said the company is obligated to return at their own cost to remove the structures if a future board does not renew the agreement in 2050.
“We have no upfront costs,” said Pulver. The agreement should provide guaranteed pricing for a majority of energy consumption over the next 30 years, officials said.
The solar arrays are not expected to produce more than 70-75 percent of each facility’s needs, he added.
Assistant Supt. of Business Services Dr. Nancy Nien announced at the last meeting that after months of negotiations, an agreement with PFMG Solar had been reached. The board voted unanimously to approve it.
She said by signing the agreement now, the district will qualify for significant federal incentives that go away Jan. 1, 2021.
District officials will explain the entire solar program to interested parents during the first week of November, he added. The presenters will also seek input on various campus proposals.
Here are the sessions:
Dr. Pulver said they will be held from 5:30 – 6:30 p. m.
McGaugh Elementary School, Monday Nov. 9,
Rossmoor, Hopkinson, Lee and Weaver Elementary, Monday Nov. 16
Los Al Elementary and McAuliffe, Oak Middle, Tuesday, Nov. 17,
Los Al High School and District Office, Wednesday, Nov. 18.
In other action Tuesday, the LAUSD board:
• Welcomed three staff members celebrating the receipt of advanced degrees, including Assistant Supt. for Human Resources, Dr. Joe Fraser, University of Southern California, Dr. Dan Bennett, Educational Technology Coordinator, USC and Dr. Amanda Lozolla, Oak Middle School, Cal State Long Beach.
• Approved a resolution supporting Red Ribbon Week.
• Approved a motion restoring a clerical assistant position, bringing the total restoration to 99 percent of all employees previously laid off. Outgoing board member Karen Russell thanked the staff for restoring the positions.
• Received a report from Bond Program Manager Mayra Gonzalez that acknowledged that construction of the steel frame for the new STEM building at LAHS was now underway.
• Offered a moment of silence for Robert Smith, a Weaver Elementary Crossing guard, who unexpectedly passed away. “He greeted everyone with a smile and had a kind word for everyone.”
