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<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>PLEASE do not reply to this email, contact Mark
Coplan, <a href="mailto:Mark_Coplan@berkeley.k12.ca.us">Mark_Coplan@berkeley.k12.ca.us</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>BERKELEY — Awarding $848 million in federal tax
credits for a wide variety of school construction projects, State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today launched an effort to
see that a larger number of future projects incorporate energy efficiency and
renewable power.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"It makes no sense to teach the next generation of <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:place>'s students in
facilities that are relics of the past, powered by energy sources that are out
of touch with our state's renewable future," Torlakson said. "Investing
in energy efficiency will help our schools save money — now and over the
long run – and show students that we're concerned about the environment
and their future."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Torlakson said he was creating a Schools of the Future team,
comprised of education, state, labor, and business leaders to make it easier
for schools to build energy efficiency into every project, remove regulatory barriers,
and identify potential funding sources. The team will also make recommendations
on the California Department of Education's (CDE) role in the process,
including identifying best practices and providing technical assistance to <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:place>'s 1,053
school districts.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The panel will be co-chaired by Cesar Diaz, Legislative
Director of the <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Building</st1:PlaceType> and Construction Trades Council of <st1:State
w:st="on">California</st1:State>, and Stephen E. Rogers, Board Vice President
of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">San Mateo</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Union</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">High</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">School District</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, with additional members
to be named in the next few weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"We are bringing creative thinkers together from our
schools, from state agencies, from labor, and from the business community, and
we're giving them a mission: make <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:place>'s
schools leaders in energy efficiency and renewable energy," Torlakson
said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"We all benefit from making our local schools more
energy efficient. This program will help create thousands of new renewable
energy jobs throughout the state, many in the building and construction
industries that have been hard hit by the downturn in the economy—while
saving money through reduced energy use and improving our schools," said
Senator Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Torlakson announced the project during a news conference at <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Berkeley</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">High School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> at the construction site of
a new stadium that will take advantage of the state's High Performance
Incentive (HPI) grants. The voluntary program provides additional funding to
school projects that incorporate energy and water efficiency, maximize natural
lighting, and use recycled materials, along with other goals.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Torlakson also announced that the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Berkeley</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Unified</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School District</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> will be one
of 61 districts throughout the state to receive a portion of the $848 million
in federal Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) tax credits. Meeting the
state's HPI standards was not a requirement for receiving the tax credits. The
$25 million credit awarded to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Berkeley</st1:City></st1:place>
will support both the stadium project and new classrooms being built at the
district's West Campus.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"It is wonderful to see hard-fought stimulus dollars
being put to good use here in the 9th Congressional District," said
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-9th District)."The $848 million in tax
credits being awarded to schools around <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:place>
will ensure that our students are equipped with the best possible education,
and that learning takes place in up-to-date facilities that reflect the
priorities of our state and our nation. I am proud to support Superintendent
Torlakson in a shared mission to continue investing in our young people's
education, and to do so in environmentally sustainable and energy efficient
ways."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"We are very pleased to be among the districts
receiving these dollars," said Berkeley Unified Superintendent Bill
Huyett. "It comes on the heels of our successful construction bond
campaign on the November ballot, and this further helps us to meet the
commitment to our community to find matching resources to help support our
significant construction plans, and the many green aspects of the projects that
are so important to our students and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Berkeley</st1:City></st1:place>
community."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>CDE received 130 applications for the credits, totaling more
than $2.5 billion.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>For the complete list of credit recipients, please visit the
CDE site at 2010 Qualified School Construction Bond Results - Qualified School Construction
Bond (QSCB).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The QSCB program, which provides federal tax credits in lieu
of interest to lenders who purchase bonds from eligible school districts, is
part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Eligible districts
also have the option to receive a direct cash subsidy payment from the U.S. Treasury.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>ARRA provided up to $11 billion in tax credits nationwide
for 2010, with $1.267 billion allocated to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">California</st1:State></st1:place>. Of this total, $547 million were
directly allocated to 12 large school districts and $68 million were allocated
to the California School Finance Authority for charter schools; the remaining
$652 million were allocated through the CDE application process along with $196
million in remaining 2009 credits included in today's awards.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The Treasury Department set a tax credit rate for QSCB that
on average equals the amount of interest school districts would ordinarily pay
on debt. With the federal government covering most or all of the interest, school
districts receive a substantial benefit because interest payments typically
equal about 50 percent of the overall cost of a bond.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The bond proceeds may be used for new construction and/or
renovation and repair of school facilities, the purchase of land on which the
public school facility will be built, and the purchase of equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>As a science teacher, Torlakson believes energy-saving and
renewable energy projects have enormous potential as teaching tools for
students.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"I see hundreds of teachable moments where students can
be included and study firsthand the design and installation of energy-saving
improvements and solar and wind power systems," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>For more information on QSCB, please visit the CDE site at
Qualified School Construction Bond (QSCB) - Facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> The link on vimeo is: <a href="http://vimeo.com/18821425">http://vimeo.com/18821425</a>
<font color=red><span style='color:red'><o:p></o:p></span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Mark A. Coplan Public Information Officer, BUSD 510-644-6320
Cell: 510-472-3811 Mark_Coplan@berkeley.k12.ca.us Berkeley Unified School
District 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way Berkeley, Ca 94704-1180<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:
Arial'>_________________ <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 color=blue face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'>Diane Douglas, Marguerite
Fa-Kaji and Pat Anderson are the parent-volunteer facilitators of the etree;
please direct any questions to them at bhs-owner@lmi.net. BHS etree archives:
http://lists.lmi.net/pipermail/bhs/; BHS PTSA website:
http://www.bhs.berkeleypta.org/. To unsubscribe from the etree, send an email
to bhs-request@lmi.net with one word only in the subject line: 'unsubscribe'.
To post a message, send to: <a href="mailto:bhs@lmi.net">bhs@lmi.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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