BROOKLINE-NEWFANE JOINT CONTRACT SCHOOL BOARD

NewBrook Renewable Energy Project

In light of the schools aging oil-fired boilers, the Brookline-Newfane Joint School Board and
former NewBrook Principal Chris Pratt formed an Energy Committee in 2012 to explore options.
Early on in the process, the School Board identified the following goals to help guide the
Boards thinking and the Committees work:
Go as green as possible while remaining fiscally responsible;
Reduce or eliminate the schools carbon footprint;
Provide opportunities for student learning regarding the value of investing in renewable
energy;
Promote use of renewable energy in educational facilities in Vermont.

In an effort to be responsive to and learn from the community, the School Board held three
informational meetings on this topic. The input received at these meetings provided valuable
guidance to the School Board and the Energy Committee.

On June 12
th
, 2014, the School Board convened a special meeting of Newfane and Brookline
voters to consider two related proposals: solar panels to provide electricity for the school, and a
loan to help pay for a new heating and cooling system using air-to-air heat pumps. The
proposed solar system, which was sized to produce enough electricity to also run the heat
pumps, was defeated by two vote. The loan for the heat pumps was approved.

The School Board has decided to ask the voters of both towns to re-consider the proposed solar
system, which will include more specifics regarding the solar lease agreement. The Board also
received a petition to re-consider the vote on the new heating system. The School Board re-
convened the Energy Committee, which now includes more community members. The Energy
Committee, which met on July 16th, has recommended to the School Board that call a special
meeting in late October to vote on both proposals. The Board will notify the community as soon
as the date for this meeting is set.

For more information, contact Kim Friedman, Energy Committee Chair, at 348-7988 or
kimfriedman@svcable.net