Can Solar Energy Boost School Funding?
HOW THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT RAISED TEACHERS’ SALARIES
and keep quality instructors from feeling forced to find better-paying positions. With an increase in dedicated educators, students’ test scores also began to rise. The Batesville School District quickly climbed higher in Arkansas’ school ranking. Nearby school districts were shocked at the difference solar energy could make and swiftly followed suit. And Arkansas isn’t the only state making the energy switch. In 2020, 5.6 million students were attending schools run at least partially by solar power. The number only increased in 2022, with over 6 million students enrolled in environmentally friendly schools. According to Generation180, the number of solar-powered public schools in the U.S. is at a whopping 8,409, which accounts for 1 out of every 10 schools.
Our country is known for its subpar pay for public teachers, yet this Arkansas school district decided to try something different. Like many school districts across the country, the Batesville School District was struggling with budget deficits, unsuitable teacher salaries, and having talented educators leave their positions as a result. So, Superintendent Michael Hester came up with a risky plan. Hester discovered that the electricity powering the six different school buildings cost the district over $600,000 yearly. In hopes of repurposing that hefty price tag, the Batesville School District took out a bond to finance 1,400 PV solar panels. While this may seem an odd move, it turned out to be an ingenious strategy. The results were incredible. After just three years, the school district not only escaped a $250,000 budget deficit but also made an additional $1.8 million. This surplus allowed the district to raise teachers’ wages
Solar panels are an all-around valuable energy source, and we can’t wait to see more institutions follow Batesville’s lead.
Solution on Pg. 4 Have a Laugh!
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