A nearly $178,000 federal energy grant is paying for new windows and doors at Kimberly Middle School, with the full project expected to wrap up by the end of July — and not a single dollar coming out of local taxpayers’ pockets.
The Kimberly School District received the funding through what Superintendent Luke Schroeder described as a KEEPS Grant — a Department of Energy program targeting energy efficiency improvements. “We received what’s called the Keeps Grant, which is a grant from the Department of Energy, which helps with any kind of energy efficiency,” Schroeder said.
The $177,839 grant covers the replacement of approximately 39 windows and two door fronts in the original section of the middle school building. The existing windows date to the school’s 1992 construction and have remained in place ever since. Portions of the building added in 2008 already received upgraded glass during that expansion, but the original wing had gone untouched — until now.
High-Efficiency Glass and Aluminum Frames
Twin Falls Glass is handling the installation. Nate, the company’s owner, said the upgrade will make a noticeable difference in comfort and energy costs year-round. “We are upgrading them to a high-efficiency, low-heat glass, which will keep the heat out for the summer, especially on the south-facing side, and will keep the heat in the winter a lot better,” he said.
The new windows feature aluminum storefront frames paired with the high-efficiency glass. The steel entrance doors are also being replaced with aluminum units, which carry an expected service life of 30 to 40 years — meaning the district likely won’t face this expense again for a generation.
Grant Writing Effort Paid Off
One of the more notable aspects of this project is how the district secured the funding. A district patron provided pro bono grant-writing services, essentially delivering the full project cost to the school at no charge to the community. The grant covers every dollar of the installation work.
It’s not the first time the Kimberly School District has leaned on grants to stretch its limited budget. About a year ago, the district completed a $1.2 million agricultural shop addition — also funded through grants — adding to a campus that spans four school buildings and roughly 80 acres of maintained grounds.
For a small rural district managing that kind of footprint, finding external funding sources has become a practical necessity. Projects like the middle school window replacement demonstrate what focused grant work can accomplish without drawing on local levy dollars or burdening district patrons with a bond.
The Kimberly School District has shown a consistent ability to secure outside dollars for capital improvements, a track record that has also earned its high school recognition for academic achievement. Kimberly High School has earned the District 4A Schools of Excellence honor four years running, reflecting broader momentum across the district.
What Comes Next
Twin Falls Glass is expected to complete the window and door installation at Kimberly Middle School by the end of July 2026, ahead of the return of students in the fall. The new aluminum windows and doors should provide improved insulation, lower heating and cooling costs, and more comfortable classrooms for years to come. District officials have not announced additional grant-funded capital projects at this time, but the pattern of pro bono grant writing suggests the district will continue pursuing outside funding for future facility needs.