Argos School Board members recently signed off on a project that will include repairing some faulty roofing and installing solar panels for a guaranteed energy-savings project.
Superintendent Ned Speicher said that they’ll be making repairs prior to the installation of the solar panels so they have warranty on the roofing. He noted that Johnson Melloh Solutions will be conducting both portions of the project.
He explained that six sections of roof at the Jr./Sr. High School will be renovated and replaced.
Speicher stated, “This includes classrooms, gymnasiums and the auditorium. So that is a major part of this project and that will begin this summer and go into the fall.”
Once the roof repair is complete, the solar energy portion of the project can commence. Speicher said the sections of roofing above the two main gymnasiums and the auditorium will have solar panels installed on them.
Superintendent Speicher said that the project is guaranteed through the State of Indiana and he shared how these kinds of projects work.
He mentioned, “You are giving an exact number of what that part of the project costs and then we are also given a guarantee of how much money will be saved and returned to the school district for the life of the project.”
He said they’re expecting to spend a little over $2 million on the entire roof and solar panel project but they’re expected to see a return of more than $3 million.
Speicher noted that if the promised amount is not provided, there are repercussions for the company who doesn’t the installation.
He shared, “Each year, if it doesn’t achieve the savings that we’ve been promised then they need to make of the difference and write a check but, believe me they’re pretty sure that’s not going to happen which is fine with us as long as we get the savings.”
School board members passed multiple resolutions related to this project last Thursday when they met.
Following a public hearing where no comments or questions were provided, members passed a resolution determining the need for the project as well as one approving the project itself and a reimbursement resolution related to the anticipated cost savings.
