New superintendent for Trout Lake

TROUT LAKE — Trout Lake School District has a new superintendent.

Doug Dearden was sworn in by Chair Laurie Sherburne at the June 24 school board meeting. Sherburne thanked outgoing Superintendent Jerry Lewis — who is currently serving as interim superintendent in Glenwood — for his service, as did Dearden for “all your dedication and work over the last four years.”

The transition was celebrated with strawberry shortcake.

Solar project postponed

Lewis introduced a solar grant for review by the board, with Mason Rolph, executive director of Olympia Community Solar, presenting. The nonprofit provides solar energy access to communities otherwise unable to access clean energy.

The process was started by a community group that received seed money from a grant; last fall, Rolph and Lewis applied for and received 100% funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce for installment of the array. Eight contractors bid on the project, with Blossom Solar receiving the contract. The project will generate about $8,000 of electricity a year — or more, as energy costs increase. Two placement designs were also presented, both on the school’s roof.

Director Brent Fetsch raised concerns about roof sturdiness, prompting a discussion of inspections and panel placement. The board ultimately decided to postpone approving the contract — though Fetsch was agreeable to bring it forward for a vote — until more of their questions could be answered.

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Read the full June 24 meeting notes by Documenter Sarah Burr Arnold at www.columbia-gorge.documenters.org.

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