# Wind offers Oklahoma schools a lifeline during budget cuts

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/06/wind-school-offers-oklahoma-lifeline-during-budget-cuts-2/
- Published: 2017-06-23T07:33:30-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Talk about wind school.  The Oklahoman recently took a look at what the Sooner State’s
[growing](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/vattenfall-goes-wales-small-wind-large-solar/)
wind industry has meant for rural school districts.

### Its findings: wind power has made a big difference.

_[⌊Wind school⌉⌊Wind school⌉[

Oklahoma has faced steep cuts to its state education budget in recent years. However,
wind payments have also helped bridge the gap. Especially for many small-town districts.

“We would probably be right there screaming with everyone else about the budget 
if it wasn’t for those (turbines).” That was said by Rob Friesen. Most importantly,
Rob is also the superintendent of Okarche Public Schools. For these turbines, the
Okarche school system recently added a new gym. Also built a new elementary school
and art center. Finally, they constructed an agricultural and technology building.

### Wind School Bond Ability

“It increases the amount of money you can go out and bond,” Friesen said. “Without
it, we wouldn’t be doing all these projects,” Friesen said. “Without it, we would
have to pick just one of these projects.”

[[
Meanwhile, Robert Trammell, superintendent of Cheyenne Public schools, says wind
school revenue also makes up 10 percent of his district’s budget. Moreover and wind
development helped the Minco public school system build a new high school.

### Wind School Rural Districts

In rural districts short on resources, wind school farm revenue can more clearly
make a huge difference. In fact, researchers from Oklahoma State University recently
found wind farms would pay in-state schools over a billion dollars. For that’s during
the course of their lifetimes.

Source: Into the Wind, GREG ALVAREZ MAY 16, 2017, American Wind Energy Association,
[AWEA](https://cleanpower.org/)

### Conclusion

Oklahoma has been hard hit by budget cuts. So schools are one of the first to feel
its impact. In addition, Oklahoma’s struggling economy continues to cause problems
for local families. Especially those that are already dealing with the effects of
the recession. The state’s school systems are being forced to make painful cuts 
to teacher salaries and class sizes. That’s meaning that more students will have
trouble earning their diploma. That which makes for fewer teachers to educate them.

This is especially why all districts in Oklahoma need wind turbine [Microgrids](https://greenlivingguy.com/consulting/).

Every student in Oklahoma needs a teacher. A recent study found that the state’s
high school graduation rates have actually fallen over the past decade. So even 
as the number of students enrolled in public schools has increased. When budget 
constraints have forced schools to cut costs in other areas, Oklahoma teachers have
had to adapt by teaching more classes and using the same amount of day-to-day school
time.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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