SABIC Innovative Plastics, which recently purchased the GE Selkirk plant, presented the school district with a $5,000 donation towards the project at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

SABIC Energy Sustainability Leader Gretchen Govini told the board that the funds represents a grant the GE Selkirk plant received from SABIC for its reduction of gases that damage the ozone layer and increase global warming.

Christo Zemering, plant manager for SABIC, said it makes perfect sense for the funds to be awarded to RCS because of the benefit the greenhouse would have to RCS' educational offerings, as well as the fact that greenhouse itself would benefit the environment. He specifically noted that the greenhouse would have a solar panel to collect energy.

Earlier this year, the district received a $10,000 grant from the Bender Scientific Fund of the Community Foundation for the Capital Region to construct the greenhouse teaching station near the tennis courts by the high school.

Science Curriculum Content Specialist Stephanie Branley and Teacher Vicki Jones pursued that grant and donations from businesses such as SABIC to cover some of the other costs associated with the construction and start-up of the greenhouse.

The greenhouse, Grades 11/12 Principal Hakim Jones has said, would provide a great hands-on experience for science students and fit perfectly into environmental and other science courses.