The Florida Department of Community Affairs/Florida Energy Office has established the SunSmart Schools program for fiscal year 2006. The program provides rebates of up to $50,000 for the installation of photovoltaic systems for emergency shelters. Tampa Electric Company has agreed to partner with the District and the Florida Department of Community Affairs/Florida Energy Office to provide a PV system at Middleton High School. A major objective of the SunSmart Schools Program is to make the performance data from these systems available for use in hands-on exercises and activities for all grade levels. If approved and awarded, the system will provide a valuable enhancement to the science curriculum at Middleton High School. A similar program was previously approved and implemented for Walker Middle School. See attached application and program plan for additional program details.

Critical Success Factor 6.a.7 - Provide school facility maintenance that allows for uninterrupted student learning (proper electricity, A/C, etc.) as measured by District Operational Goals plan.
Goal 3: Student performance on FCAT science will increase a minimum of 5 percentage points.

If the project is approved, funds in the amount of $250 from the general operating fund will be required to install the communication link to the system. The estimated $50,000 - $100,000 cost for the project will be paid by the Florida Energy Office and Tampa Electric Company.