Teacher-written grant helps school secure major funding through TVA’s School Uplift program
Lexington, TN – South Haven Elementary School has been awarded a $200,000 Building Energy Upgrade Grant as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) EnergyRight School Uplift program, the Henderson County School District announced this week.
The grant application was written by Marinda Hildentbrant, an 8th grade math and science teacher at South Haven, whose vision and initiative helped secure the highly competitive funding. Hildentbrant’s work has earned the school a place among 99 public schools across seven southeastern states selected for energy efficiency improvements this year.
“This grant is a game changer for our school,” said Dr. Coffman, principal of South Haven Elementary. “It will allow us to better utilize space and effectively teach our students about energy efficiency. School Uplift is another great example of TVA and Lexington Electric System’s investment in our community.”
The grant will fund a series of energy-saving upgrades at South Haven, including:
Installation of high-efficiency HVAC units in the old gym
Replacement of outdated windows with energy-efficient models
High-efficiency air conditioning units for classrooms and the front office
Occupancy sensor lighting controls
LED lighting installed throughout the building
South Haven Elementary joins more than 323 schools that have completed the School Uplift program since its launch four years ago. Participating schools see an average of 10% annual energy savings through behavior changes alone, with additional savings expected from infrastructure improvements.
Superintendent Danny Beecham praised the achievement, stating:
“We are incredibly proud of Marinda Hildentbrant for taking the initiative to write this grant. This award is a testament to her leadership and the entire South Haven community. It’s exciting to see our educators going above and beyond for our students.”
TVA’s School Uplift program is a year-long energy management training initiative designed to help schools reduce energy waste, save money, and improve classroom comfort. It's one of many efforts by TVA and local power companies to support public schools in underserved and rural communities.
“Every dollar invested in our schools helps districts allocate resources to what truly matters – providing quality education for our children,” said Monika Beckner, Vice President of TVA Energy Services & Programs. “We’re proud of the winners of this year’s School Uplift grants, who are dedicated to reducing energy waste and building a stronger, more sustainable future.”
TVA EnergyRight and Lexington Electric System are currently recruiting K–12 schools for the 2026–2027 school year. Schools interested in applying for future participation can visit: https://energyright.com/business-industry/school-uplift/
About TVA
The Tennessee Valley Authority is the largest public power supplier in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA’s diverse energy portfolio includes nuclear, hydro, solar, natural gas, and emerging technologies.
TVA is a self-funded corporate agency of the U.S. government, receiving no annual federal appropriations. It consistently maintains some of the lowest electricity rates and highest reliability in the nation. Its residential customers pay less than 80% of the average national rate, while industrial customers pay less than 90%.
In addition to energy, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system and partners with local communities for economic development and job creation.
Learn more at TVA.com.