Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Trane Co. offers generous gift
An interesting offer from Trane Co. has presented La Crosse school officials with an opportunity and a challenge.
Trane has offered to give the La Crosse School District 600 tons of cooling equipment, not to exceed three appliances. There is no cost to the school district for that gift, if the district pays $45,000 for energy studies in at least three buildings.
It’s a challenge well worth taking, and Trane’s offer of equipment that it estimates at a $600,000 value is much appreciated.
“We have stepped up to deliver a solution to the La Crosse School District,” Robert Schmidt of Trane Co. told school board members Monday.
Board members will vote on the matter at their Aug. 11 meeting.
If everything goes as planned, the district will hold a referendum in November. Trane will follow through with its gift if voters approve a referendum.
That’s another part of the challenge for school officials: They need to come up with a referendum that will be approved by voters, who rejected a school maintenance plan in April that also included construction of a new North Side school.
A proposal to do the big-ticket maintenance items alone might have a better chance than last April’s vote — particularly if there is the inclusion of Trane’s gift.
It’s a great opportunity — and an act of generosity on the part of an important local manufacturer and employer.
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