Failure of Garrison solar project follows pattern of obstruction by school leaders
The comment that school leaders “are not faithful partners” resonated with my experience on the Solar Task Force.
I am disappointed to hear of the breakdown of the solar project at the Ellen Garrison Building. Unfortunately, the comment that school leaders “are not faithful partners” resonated with my experience on the Solar Task Force (STF). We do not have solar panels on the CCHS campus or any prospect for them today in part due to a similar pattern of obstructive behavior by school leadership.
The STF charge in 2023 included a directive to identify a site that “can be done quickly to demonstrate feasibility and build momentum.” We saw an opportunity at CCHS, and I met with Dr. Hunter and the committee chairs to outline our ideas before bringing anything to the full School Committee. During the critical weeks to develop a funding proposal for the warrant, they refused to place an item on the committee agenda, thwarting any possibility of a full committee discussion of the proposal.
The STF continued its work. We had a CCHS Sunrise Movement member who was an attendee at our meetings. She expressed interest in conducting a school opinion survey of the proposal. Two of us met with her over coffee and helped her develop the survey. She got approval for the survey from the Sunrise faculty advisor and proudly announced it to the School Committee. Dr. Hunter then personally stepped in to prevent it from going live.
These are just two examples of the difficulties we faced with the schools. I’m sure the details that led to this current breakdown vary, but the basic dynamic shines through in comments from Light Board members. Solar on the Garrison building is what the town expects and has funded. School leadership should be looking for ways to “get to yes” on this project.
Dean Banfield
Walden Terrace
