Board Goes Solar: JUHSD Approves $4.25M Panel Purchase, Projects Millions in Savings

The Jefferson Union High School District Governing Board wrapped a brisk 23-minute summer session with a unanimous vote to buy the solar energy systems powering four of its high schools — a deal staff says will pay for itself in five years and free up nearly $1 million a year for classrooms and staff.

• $4.25M solar panel purchase approved, projecting $5.7M in net savings over 10 years and $900,000 in annual general fund relief
• Cafeteria workers get a raise as board ratifies Teamsters Local 856 contract matching other employee groups
• District and union leaders signal cooperative year ahead after jointly attending statewide labor-management conference
• Six board policies — including a remote-work rule — get first reading, closing a gap that left two employee classifications uncovered

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District Buys Its Solar Panels, Ends 17-Year Energy Contract

Why it matters: The purchase immediately shifts roughly $900,000 a year from energy payments into the general fund — money available for staffing, programs and operations at a time when the board has been navigating budget pressures.

Where things stand: The district has been buying solar electricity from PES Solar Project 4 LLC under a power purchase agreement signed in 2009. Superintendent Toni Presta recommended terminating that contract and purchasing the solar energy systems outright at four high schools for $4.25 million, citing an analysis by Arc Alternatives.

"The purchase price of $4,250,000 is expected to pay for itself within five years through avoided energy costs," said Superintendent Presta. "Over the first 10 years of ownership, the district is projected to realize more than $5.7 million in net savings compared to continuing under the existing agreement."

The financing structure is key: by using facilities bonds rather than general fund dollars, the district avoids upfront budget pain while unlocking immediate operational savings.

Board President Sherrett Walker asked whether the deal amounted to "long-term gain without a lot of short-term pain." Superintendent Presta confirmed it did.

One board member connected the timing directly to recent fiscal discussions: "I'm grateful that this occurred when it did given the budget discussions we had last month and the fact that it is landing quite perfectly with the way our budget is structured for this year."

Decisions: Approved unanimously, 5-0.

What's next: The district will execute the purchase agreement with PES Solar Project 4 LLC and transition to ownership of the systems.

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Teamsters Pact Locks In Pay Parity for Cafeteria Workers

Why it matters: The deal ensures the district's lowest-profile bargaining unit — its cafeteria workers — receives the same percentage raise negotiated for other employees, avoiding a morale-damaging gap between groups.

Ms. Lujan, Human Resources, presented a tentative agreement with Teamsters Local 856 that includes both a compensation increase and a health-and-welfare increase. "The compensation increase is comparable to the classified salary increase for AFT 1481," she said.

Board President Walker confirmed the agreement covers the district's cafe workers. The board approved unanimously, 5-0.

The ratification is part of a broader pattern: the board also approved a stipend increase for trustees at the same percentage as the AFT 1481 settlement. Trustee Jerome Gallegos kept it light: "Just glad to be included." That item passed 5-0 as well.

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Union and Administration Head Into School Year on Collaborative Footing

Why it matters: Joint attendance by top administrators and union officers at a statewide labor-management conference is a deliberate signal — and a practical investment — in cooperative relations heading into a year that will test district budgets statewide.

Superintendent Presta reported that the district's executive cabinet traveled to San Diego in June alongside AFT 1481 leadership for the California Labor Management Initiative conference. "It was really informative. We learned new things. We were reminded of the shared value of working together in benefit of our students," she said.

Adam Kuby, the new co-president of AFT Local 1481, introduced himself to the board alongside co-president Mikayla Christiansen of Terra Nova High School. He described the conference as a foundation for the year ahead.

"We really felt like it was helpful for us to work with the JUHSD administration leadership to go to this conference together to learn about how to collaborate and how to work collectively to solve a lot of problems that happen around education," Co-President Kuby said.

Co-President Kuby also reported attending CFT summer school for new union leaders and an I Am Fame Filipino American educators ceremony. "We were able to celebrate three or four JUHSD educators who were being honored," he said. He noted that Monica Casey was headed to the AFT national convention in Washington, D.C.

That collaborative dynamic was already showing results: when staff discovered the previously approved adult education calendar contained 142 work days instead of the required 141, the district and AFT 1481 worked together over the summer to identify the fix. The corrected calendar passed unanimously.

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Minor Items

• Classified salary schedules revised spanning five fiscal years (2021-22 through 2025-26) to clarify whether compensation is hourly, monthly or annual — a change required by CalPERS so retirees can maximize pension benefits. Approved 5-0.

• Resolution 2026-2027/2 authorizes Samuel Holmes, a Jefferson High School teacher who holds an English credential but has 42 semester units in fine arts, to continue teaching art classes. Required annually by law. Approved 5-0.

• 2026-27 instructional materials adopted and Resolution 2026-2027/1 passed, certifying all students will have sufficient textbooks under the state Pupil Textbook and Instructional Materials Incentive Act. A public hearing was opened and closed with no comments. Both items approved 5-0.

• Six board policies received first reading covering professional standards, maintaining appropriate adult-student interactions, employee compensation, dismissal and disciplinary action, transfers, and a remote-work policy extending coverage to two employee classifications inadvertently omitted from earlier adoption. Policies will return for second reading and adoption.

• Consent agenda approved 5-0 without discussion.

• Superintendent Presta noted the HR department has been busy with summer hiring and the district is "looking really good for the fall."

• Meeting minutes from June 9 approved 5-0; July 2 minutes approved 4-0-1 with Trustee Gallegos abstaining because he was absent from that meeting.

• Meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.