Posted by LFM, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Oct 30, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Interested to see the math on this. Insulation is good but the ROI on solar is generally not there unless solar prices comes down. It tends to be more of a feel good thing and an environmental statement. Makes more sense to work this into the scheduled building rehab plan over a 10+ year period. It all seems somewhat defocusing from the educational mission.

Of course if there was matching stimulus funds coming from Washington that may change things!

Posted by Bruce England, a resident of the Whisman Station neighborhood, on Oct 30, 2009 at 4:51 pm

Of course, return on investment calculations will need to be completed, and any grant opportunities will need to be explored, but the value of giving our students first-hand experience with alternative energy technology must not be underestimated. In my view, MVLA's embarking on this is not just a "feel good thing" and should be understood as an important part of any educational mission.

Posted by vfree, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Oct 30, 2009 at 8:28 pm

Let me save you some time and money...NO

Posted by KD, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Nov 2, 2009 at 2:52 pm

Sounds like a great idea.

Give the school district $40-50 million so they can "reduce energy use and, in the long run, bring down overall energy costs". No mention what they would do with the savings. Perhaps increase other spending (within a district that already has the highest paid teachers and adminstrators in the state)?

How about we let the bond measure expire and then allow each and every taxpayer within the district spend the savings as they see fit.

Posted by Martha, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Nov 11, 2009 at 1:27 pm

The bond will also increase capacity, which will be needed. Based on current enrollment in Los Altos and Mountain View Whisman elementary districts, there will be an increase of around 900+ students in the High School District in the coming decade. The equivalent of putting another elementary school at both Mountain View and Los Altos High schools. They currently are close to capacity as it is. Unless they can add rooms to hold the students, they will have terrible overcrowding problems.

Also, adding the solar technology will save the district around $400,000 to $500,000 per year in electricity costs. This money will then be kept in the general fund to provide programming for the students, which will be very helpful as school funding keeps getting squeezed. Every bit will count.