RPS News Details
RPS Receives $15 Million Grant to Upgrade HVAC Systems in Twenty-Two Schools Across the Division
Richmond, Va. – Yesterday, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $15.3 million in federal funding for Richmond Public Schools (RPS) to make energy efficiency upgrades at 22 schools across the division. RPS is one of only 16 districts across the country to win the grant — and the only one in Virginia. The upgrades will decrease energy costs while also improving air quality.
"Our students deserve the absolute best. As a Division, we are working each and every day to reverse decades of inequitable funding and disinvestments in urban districts across Virginia,” said Superintendent Jason Kamras. “We are thrilled to be the only Division in the Commonwealth to receive this grant. We’re deeply grateful to Sens. Warner and Kaine for their leadership, and hugely proud of our Facilities and Grants team for their work championing this project. The Board and I asked them to turn over every stone to expedite our modernization efforts, and this is a testament to their hard work and ingenuity.”
Funding for the grant was made possible by the 2024 Renew America’s School Prize (RASP), a first-of-its-kind program to invest in creating healthier learning environments and cut costs for public schools by improving facilities and making energy efficiency upgrades.