Batesville High School EAST Facilitator Jeanne Roepcke and Batesville School District Communications Director Megan Renihan paid a visit to the White River Now family of radio stations Wednesday morning to announce the district’s solar project will be featured during a segment of “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on Thursday.
In the White River Now region, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” airs on KAIT in Jonesboro at 2 p.m. and at 4 p.m. on KLRT out of Little Rock. For a complete list of television stations carrying the program, click here.
The project, which is rooted in the district’s long-term strategic plan, consists of 1,400 solar panels on the campus of Batesville High School and Batesville Junior High School. District officials say the solar energy has saved over $1.5 million, much of which will go back into the district’s teacher salaries.
A Zoom link was established in Roepcke’s class at Batesville High School for the interview with Clarkson from her television studio. Roepcke and Renihan said the experience was fun, particularly when Clarkson told them her own mother is a retired teacher.
Listen below to Roepcke and Renihan’s conversation with Gary B for all of the details, and scroll down for a video from the World Economic Forum regarding the BSD solar efforts.
An Arkansas school district used solar energy to convert a $250k budget deficit into a $1.8 million surplus, giving teachers well deserved pay raises via @wef HT @FrRonconi #solarenergy #education #teachers #renewables
pic.twitter.com/gMcrEBzOIF— Mark Runyon (@aspprogrammer) October 29, 2020
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest sports and weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. on Ozark Newsline, broadcast from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Add don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Remember: Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Practice social distancing.
