It would cost between eight to ten million dollars to install geothermal energy at Lincoln Elementary School in Ottawa. The Ottawa Elementary School District is using state COVID relief money to install geothermal energy at Jefferson and McKinley Elementary, which will provide heat and air conditioning.
But the funding doesn’t cover Lincoln. Board President Brendan Donahue says he wants the board to move forward to bring some relief for hot days at Lincoln School. He says the district owes to the staff.
The school board wants to see estimates from Engineer Bill Taylor so they can choose whether to install geothermal or find a good temporary option. Donahue says he believes looking at a short term solution would benefit the district. But Board Member Mary Ganiere says she believes the district is committed to installing geothermal.
If the board decides to install geothermal energy, the board would have to create a referendum for it.