Healthy, Resilient Minnesota Schools: A Model for Modernizing Aging Buildings

Built nearly a century ago, Winona Area Public Schools' Washington-Kosciusko and Jefferson Elementary Schools had no air conditioning, inconsistent classroom temperatures, and poor ventilation – until recently. 

To address these challenges, Winona used the State’s health and safety financing authority to install ground-source heat pumps in both buildings. The district also leveraged federal energy tax credits through Elective Pay to lower the upfront installation costs, earning $5.5 million as a reimbursement through Elective Pay.

This case study walks district leaders and project teams through the data that helped Winona select the technology and offers practical lessons for districts considering upgrades in similar contexts. 

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Ida Public Schools: Bringing Cooling to Classrooms and $3.6M Back to a Rural Community