Solar panels for the high school, after a $1.6 million charge to connect to the grid

What happened

The board amended its 15-year solar power purchase agreement for Vernon Township High School on January 22, 2026 after the developer absorbed extra costs. The finance committee reported that the utility had quoted $1.6 million to connect the system to the grid and that the array would supply about 82% of the district's electricity. By April the board had chosen a smaller version of the project so it could be finished within a year instead of three to four, and in May the completion date was put at November 2026.

Why it matters to families

Electricity is one of the costs the district cannot control, and the savings are being counted on in the 2026-2027 budget. Picking the smaller system trades some long-run saving for getting the work done while the buildings still need so much else.

The evidence

The January 22, 2026 approved minutes carry the resolution amending the HESP Solar power purchase agreement and the finance committee report giving the $1.6 million interconnection cost from the utility and the 82% figure. The April 30, 2026 minutes record the committee choosing the smaller project because the larger one would have taken three to four years for interconnection upgrades, and the May 21, 2026 minutes give a projected completion of November 2026.

The source