Voter registration available Tuesday, September 16
Residents of the Greater Johnstown community will have the opportunity to participate in a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, ahead of a September 30 re-vote on a proposed Energy Performance Contract (EPC) project that includes the installation of a revenue-generating solar array on District property behind Johnstown High School (JHS). Polls will be open on September 30 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. in the lobby of the JPAC auditorium at JHS.
The public hearing will be held during the regularly scheduled Board of Education business meeting that evening in the newly renovated LGI (Large Group Instruction) space at JHS (located across from the gymnasium). The hearing will include a presentation from Superintendent Alicia D. Koster and representatives from the District’s selected Energy Service Company (ESCO) for the project, John W. Danforth Company.
The public hearing and Board meeting will be livestreamed on the District’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@johnstownliveeventsvideos3859/streams.
The solar project is capped at $11 million and is fully funded through federal incentives and guaranteed energy savings over time. There is no additional tax impact. Voter approval qualifies the District for an extra 10% in state aid, totaling approximately $1,045,000.
Voter Registration Tuesday, Sept. 16 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.):
Only registered voters may participate in the September 30 vote. Visit the Greater Johnstown School District Poll Place Finder website and choose “Am I Registered” to determine if you are currently registered to vote at GJSD. If you are not registered and would like to be, you can stop by the District Office on September 16 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. You will need to provide government issued photo ID (examples include state issued drivers license or non-driver ID card; U.S. military ID; U.S. passport) and proof of residency (examples include a current utility or telephone bill; deed/mortgage statement; lease agreement; auto insurance ID card; stamped change of address form from the post office).
Absentee Ballot & Early Mail Voting:
Registered voters may vote by absentee ballot or by early mail voting if they will be unavailable in-person on September 30. Community members who are listed with the County Board of Elections as “permanently sick or disabled” do not need to apply for an absentee ballot and will automatically be sent one. There are separate applications for early mail voting or absentee ballot, but the application process and deadlines are the same for both. Applications are available on the District website or by contacting the district clerk, Larraina Carpenter, at (518) 762-4611, ext. 3119. Completed ballots must be received by the District by mail or drop-off no later than 5 p.m. on September 30.
EPC/Solar Project Overview on GJSD Website:
The Greater Johnstown School District (GJSD) has launched a dedicated web page on the District website to keep the community informed about the project. The web page will be updated with timestamped announcements as new information becomes available. The District encourages community members to bookmark the page and check back regularly for the latest updates.
Access the webpage here: https://bit.ly/GJSD_EPC_Solar_Overview