A solar array planned on school property near Belle Alexander School will generate revenue for the school district as well as electricity.
At Monday’s Kewanee School Board meeting, Supt. Dr. Chris Sullens reported on the project, in which a company called BOW Renewables will put solar panels on 5 1/2 acres east and south of the Belle building.
Sullens said after the meeting that the company still needs to secure state approval for the project. But since few other applications have been received, he said, company officials don’t see a problem with getting the go-ahead from the state.
Once the solar array is up and running, Sullens said, the company will pay the district $2,000 a year. Also, BOW Renewables will make a one-time $35,000 payment to the district, and will donate $10,000 each year to the Kewanee Schools Foundation for a scholarship for a Kewanee High School graduate.
In addition, the school district will get electricity from BOW Renewables at a reduced rate.
BOW renewables already operates several solar facilities in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Monday’s meeting was the last for Sullens before his retirement at the end of this month.
He spoke on his 18-year career as superintendent at the close of the meeting.
When he started as superintendent, Sullens said, “We were in the red. We weren’t thinking of expanding anything.”
During Sullens’ tenure, expansion has been ongoing in the district, with major additions to Kewanee High School and its athletic facilities, as well as major additions to Belle Alexander and Neponset elementary schools.
“It’s been a great journey for me,” Sullens said, and he added that he has experienced much parent involvement in their children’s education.
Sullens noted the work of the faculty and staff in adapting to major technological changes in recent years, as well as their efforts to keep school going during the COVID 19 pandemic.
He said he has enjoyed working with the school board, and added, “At the end of the day, we’ve got awesome kids” in the schools.
“I’m proud to say I’m a Boilermaker,” Sullens said, and he concluded, “Let’s leave it at that.”
