BP 3510 — Green School Operations

Section: 3000 - Business and Non-Instructional Operations
Status: Active

Adopted: 2021-09-09

Policy text

GREEN SCHOOL OPERATIONS

The Governing Board believes everyone has a responsibility to be a steward of the environment and desires to integrate environmental accountability into all district programs and operations. The Superintendent or designee shall develop strategies to promote district use of “green” school principles and practices in order to conserve natural resources, reduce the impact of district operations on the environment, and protect the health of students, staff, and the community.

In developing such strategies and assessing the environmental conditions in district facilities and operations, the Superintendent or designee shall involve staff at all levels and with varying job responsibilities, including administrators, certificated staff, and classified staff. As appropriate, the Superintendent or designee may also consult with health professionals; representatives of local governmental agencies, utilities, solid waste and recycling companies, and community organizations; and/or others with expertise.

In selecting and prioritizing strategies, the Superintendent or designee shall give consideration to long-term potential cost savings, initial costs, feasibility of implementation, quality and performance of the product or service, health impacts, environmental considerations, and potential educational value.

District strategies may include, but are not limited to:

Reducing energy and water consumption, and using renewable and clean energy technologies and alternatives when available
Establishing recycling programs in district facilities
Reducing the consumption of disposable materials by reusing materials and by using electronic rather than paper communications when feasible
Using environmentally preferable products and services whenever practical, including, but not limited to, products that:
Minimize environmental impacts, toxins, pollutants, odors, and hazards
Contain post-consumer recycled content
Are durable and long-lasting
Conserve energy and water
Reduce waste
Using least toxic, independently certified green cleaning products when feasible, as well as high-efficiency cleaning equipment that reduces the need to use chemicals
Providing professional development to maintenance staff in the proper use, storage, and disposal of cleaning supplies
Using effective, least toxic (organic, where possible), pest management practices for the control and management of pests
Ensuring that any construction of new facilities complies with green building standards pursuant to 24 CCR 101.1-703.1, and focusing on sustainability and student health in the design and implementation of facilities modernization projects
Reducing vehicle emissions by:
Encouraging students to walk or bicycle to school or to use district or public transportation
Using reduced or zero-emission school buses and vehicles and providing accompanying infrastructure such as charging stations
Limiting unnecessary idling of school buses in accordance with 13 CCR 2480
Limiting unnecessary idling of personal vehicles by encouraging parents/guardians, through signage or other means of communication, to turn off their vehicles when parked on and around school grounds
Implementing green school practices in the district’s food service programs by:
Providing fresh, locally sourced, unprocessed, organic food, including plant-based options, when available
Reducing food packaging and using packaging that is recyclable and/or biodegradable
Utilizing reusable products
Encouraging zero-waste lunches when food is brought from home
Maintaining a system for food waste, such as composting
Providing sharing tables where unused cafeteria food items may, in accordance with Health and Safety Code 114079, be returned for student use or donated to a food bank or other nonprofit charitable organization
Integrating green school practices and activities into the educational program by providing instruction to students on the importance of the environment, involving students in the implementation and evaluation of green school activities and projects as appropriate, and utilizing green school activities and projects as learning tools
Take advantage of existing and potential outdoor learning spaces to provide alternative educational environments to support the students’ instruction.
Utilize and maintain outdoor learning spaces to foster environmental awareness as well as provide health and wellness benefits to staff and students.