Rancho Santa Fe School District to pursue energy-efficient projects with Prop 39 funding

By Karen Billing

The Rancho Santa Fe School District will receive $250,000 over the next five years from Prop 39, the Clean Energy Jobs Act. At the Aug. 21 board meeting, Superintendent Lindy Delaney discussed possible ways to use the funding — the district architects are expected to present on two proposed projects at the school board’s Sept. 11 meeting.

Prop 39, approved by voters in November 2012, makes up to $550 million available annually to kindergarten through sixth grade public schools, county offices of education and charter schools for energy-efficient projects and job creation. The allocation is based on average daily attendance and the number of students eligible for the free and reduced lunch program. School districts request funding by submitting projects and an energy expenditure plan to the California Energy Commission for approval.

Delaney said the district has worked with SDG&E on developing potential projects, narrowing it down to a chiller (system that produces chilled water to cool air) and to redo the energy efficiency and lighting in the 400 building, one of the older buildings on campus.