Allegheny Valley School Board Recognizes Rep. Mandy Steele for Role in Securing $300,000 Solar for Schools Grant

ALLEGHENY VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 October 14, 2026

Media Contact:
 Charlie Deitch, Communications Specialist
 cdeitch@avsd.school | 412-983-3845

Allegheny Valley School Board Recognizes Rep. Mandy Steele for Role in Securing $300,000 Solar for Schools Grant

Acmetonia Elementary project expected to provide long-term taxpayer savings and educational opportunities for students.

SPRINGDALE, Pa. — The Allegheny Valley School Board recognized state Rep. Mandy Steele at its October 13 meeting for her efforts in helping the district secure a $300,000 grant through Pennsylvania's Solar for Schools program. The funding will support a solar energy installation at Acmetonia Elementary School, providing long-term financial benefits for taxpayers and new educational opportunities for students.

Allegheny Valley received the funding through the state's Solar for Schools initiative, which assists school districts in reducing electricity costs through renewable energy projects. The district's award was approved in September by the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Steele, who advocated for the district during discussions with Gov. Josh Shapiro and his administration, said the program is particularly important for smaller districts that might otherwise find large-scale solar projects financially out of reach.

"They make systems like this feasible for districts on the smaller side, like Allegheny Valley," Steele said. "This is a game changer for them."

According to Steele, the solar installation is projected to save Allegheny Valley taxpayers approximately $1.08 million over the next 25 years. She said the district would face approximately $1.8 million in electricity expenses during that period without the solar project.

Allegheny Valley Superintendent Dr. Patrick M. Graczyk said the grant demonstrates the importance of partnerships between local school districts and state government, particularly for smaller districts working to expand opportunities for students while managing financial pressures.

"We are incredibly appreciative of Representative Steele's commitment to Allegheny Valley and the families we serve," Graczyk said. "She understands the challenges facing smaller school districts and has been a strong advocate for ensuring our students and community are not overlooked when opportunities like this arise. This grant represents an investment in our schools, our taxpayers, and our students' future. We are grateful for her leadership and for the time and effort she devoted to helping make this project possible."

Beyond its financial benefits, the solar installation will provide an educational resource for Acmetonia students. The district plans to incorporate the system into its kindergarten through sixth-grade science curriculum, allowing students to explore renewable energy, sustainability and real-world applications of science and technology.

Dr. Hamsini Rajgopal, the district's director of finance and business operations, prepared the grant application and said the project represents an important investment in both the district's financial stability and educational mission.

"This solar project allows us to take greater control of our operational costs, provide long-term financial relief for taxpayers, and create meaningful educational opportunities for our students," Rajgopal said. "We are especially grateful to Rep. Mandy Steele for her perseverance and determination in ensuring Allegheny Valley receives this funding. Her continued dedication to the students, families and community of the Allegheny Valley School District is deeply appreciated, and this investment will benefit our district for years to come."

The Allegheny Valley School Board approved moving forward with the solar project earlier this year as part of the district's efforts to address rising utility costs and make long-term investments in its facilities.

Steele said she brought the district's needs directly to the governor and his team, stressing the importance of ensuring smaller school districts could benefit from the new state funding initiative.

"I fought really hard to make sure this funding came here," Steele said.

The district plans to provide educational materials at Acmetonia Elementary to help students, families and community members understand the installation and its benefits. Additional information and project updates will be shared through the district's website and social media channels.

For more information, visit www.avsd.school.