SYRACUSE – The Wawasee School Board has decided to shelve wind energy in favor of exploring the option of geothermal wells.
Board members voted Tuesday to drill a test well at Wawasee Middle School in preparation for a geothermal heating and cooling system. The $10,000 test will determine the number, depth and location of prospective wells under the school.
Earlier this month, Schools Superintendent Dr. Tom Edington told the committee formed to study wind energy that, of the two options, he was going to recommend the board pursue geothermal for now. The geothermal option is a higher priority because of the looming expiration of a federal Clean Renewable Energy Bond to finance the system, he told the committee.
The wind turbine committee will meet again after the school makes a final decision on geothermal wells, based on the results of the test drill.
Savings figures from Haverhill Elementary School in the Southwest Allen County district seems promising, Wawasee Finance Director Jim Evans told Edington earlier this month. After installing geothermal wells, Haverhill saved $12,098 on electricity and $13,142 on gas from Feb. 1, 2011, to Jan. 31, 2012.
Evans noted that, at twice the square footage of Haverhill’s 81,000, he would expect a corresponding increase in savings at Wawasee Middle School.
Also Tuesday, the board approved the $507,050 purchase of more than 1,000 tablet computers for students and staff in grades 9-12. Corporation Computer Technician Dave Van Lue recommended the purchase of KUNO 3 devices, geared specifically for educational use, to be funded by bonds.
The tablets will be replaced on a four-year cycle, and Van Lue noted the investment will save the cost of replacing whole labs full of computers.
The board also approved a house construction project for the building trades class, which previously had done only home renovations; and accepted donations to the district, including a $10,720 grant from The Medtronic Foundation to purchase digital cameras and $16,000 raised by the North Webster Parent-Teacher Organization for playground equipment.
Members also praised the athletic department and the Milford School community for donating money and 12 boxes of books to West Clark Community Schools in Sellersberg, which was affected by early spring tornadoes.
