The Salisbury Township Board of Directors held an operations and finance committee meeting Oct. 8 where discussions centered on utilizing solar energy, reconditioning the middle school athletic fields and the possibility of working with the township to share gas pumps.

The meeting began with director of facilities, Bill Brackett who, at the behest of the school board, initiated a feasibility study from the McClure Company to weigh the cost saving benefits of utilizing rooftop solar power panels district-wide.

Representatives Mark Gallick and Chris Stultz from McClure provided an in-depth presentation looking at the actual power usage for each school from August 2024 through July in order to determine to what degree solar power could offset the current usage.

Many factors are at play when determining the efficiency percentages for each of the buildings and in some cases it would be necessary to improve a building’s efficiency level by upgrading to LED lighting in order to realize gains.

For example, by using solar energy panels, costs could be offset by 90% in the middle school because LED lighting has already been installed whereas, in the high school without an upgrade to LED lighting, costs would only be offset by 65%. Installation or retro fitting existing lighting could further offset energy costs at SHS to achieve a total of 73%.

At Salisbury Elementary School, the installation of solar panels could offset current energy prices by 103% and with lighting upgrades 125% could be realized. Lighting upgrades would be the responsibility of the district.

Options for ways to share excess energy between buildings, termed net metering, was also discussed as was the option to directly own the panels as opposed to a purchase power agreement which means McClure would be the district’s power supplier for a term of up to 30 years.

Complicating the decision is the timeline for capitalizing on tax incentives for public institutions to implement solar technology projects.

Due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, tax incentives will be drastically reduced after the first day of the coming year so a decision must be made soon.

The board agreed to further explore options with McClure and representatives vowed to return next month with a solidified package. The board will be tasked with making a decision on the matter at the Nov. 19 regular board meeting.

The next topic of discussion Brackett brought to the board was to announce the district has been approached by Salisbury Township to determine the level of interest the district may have in working together to install and utilize new gas pumps at the former McCullough site on South Pike Avenue. Both Brackett and Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten emphasized the township is currently in the preliminary stages of discussion and at this time no decisions or agreements have been made.

Also discussed was the upgrading of middle school athletic fields slated for summer 2027. CHA, formerly D’Huy, estimated a price of $1.2 million to remove and demolish backstops, turnover and regrade the fields with sod, inlay a clay mix on the softball field and install backstop and benches.

The question of whether to reseed the field or lay sod on the field is a dilemma. Sod is considerably more expensive but the field can be used within three months while reseeding the field means it is out of play for two years.

Brackett informed the board he has enlisted another contractor to give line-by-line prices for reseeding or sodding the fields, laying turf in the soccer field as well as the cost for drainage at the varsity softball field which he hopes to have available for the board’s consideration by November.

During the finance portion of the meeting, Chief Financial Officer Dawn Nickischer said the audit is moving forward at a good pace and once the auditors begin their field work and sample testing, the process will be on the way to completion. She hopes to have the audit completed before the Thanksgiving break.

She also presented a tentative schedule for developing the 2026-2027 budget timeline.

The next meeting of the operations and finance committee will be 7 p.m. Nov. 5. A curriculum and technology committee meeting followed by a regular school board meeting will be held 7 p.m. Oct. 15. All meetings are held in the administration building, 1140 Salisbury Road, Allentown.