FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1, 2025
Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools Announces Premier Sponsorship with OPTERRA to Support Rural School Infrastructure and Facilities Modernization
Springfield, IL – The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools (AIRSS), representing more than 500 member districts statewide, is proud to announce a new Premier Annual Sponsorship with OPTERRA Energy Services (OPTERRA). This partnership is designed to bring unprecedented support to rural and small schools across Illinois by addressing critical infrastructure and facilities needs while reducing financial and operational barriers for school leaders.
Through this collaboration, AIRSS member districts will have access to four key benefits:
- Assessing Infrastructure and Facilities Opportunities at No Cost
- Complimentary services including master planning, facility and deferred maintenance evaluations, and project development provided by experienced Illinois K–12 specialists.
- Reducing Risk and Burden for Rural School Modernization
- Access to turnkey, vendor-neutral solutions that simplify complex projects with guaranteed pricing and full accountability from planning through implementation.
- Engaging the Local Workforce, Community, and Students
- Hands-on programs and initiatives that involve students, staff, and the community in meaningful ways, strengthening local workforce pipelines and student career readiness.
- Accelerating Projects Through Funding Expertise
- Access to national, state, and regional-level funding resources that help districts fast-track modernization projects while reducing financial constraints.
“Rural and small schools often face unique challenges when it comes to facilities and infrastructure,” said Dave Ardrey, Executive Director of AIRSS. “This partnership with OPTERRA gives our members the expertise, tools, and resources they need to modernize their schools, all while engaging their communities and reducing financial burden.” Ardrey also highlighted the first unique opportunity to meet with OPTERRA experts at the AIRSS booth #85 during the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) conference in Springfield on September 25, 2025.
With more than 50 years of experience supporting public school districts nationwide, OPTERRA brings deep expertise in facilities and infrastructure modernization, funding strategies to address deferred maintenance, and professional community engagement. Their long-term commitment to Illinois schools will help AIRSS districts improve safety, efficiency, and learning environments while preserving valuable resources.
Sharon Uslan, Central Regional Director at OPTERRA, emphasized the company’s excitement to partner with AIRSS:
“We are honored to support AIRSS and its members. By combining our modernization expertise with AIRSS’s mission-driven leadership, we can help districts unlock opportunities that improve working and learning environments, engage students and the community, and accelerate much-needed modernization projects.”
This Premier Sponsorship provides unique opportunities for ongoing collaboration with members to support AIRSS’s mission to strengthen rural and small schools. For more information, please visit the OPTERRA Resources Page for K-12.