Sustainable Schools in Utah

1. Sustainable Schools in Utah Sustainable Schools = Sustainable Communities

2. Our process • Assigned with ecological aspect of sustainable schools • Researched existing sustainable school standards/protocols/initiatives • Researched existing sustainable school standards/practices here in Utah • Analyzed how standards might best be applied to Utah environment • Refocused efforts on single school district – Salt Lake City School District – as “pilot study.”

3. Existing Sustainable School Programs • LEED for Schools • Offers 4 levels of achievement • Collaboration for High Performance Schools (CHPS) • Voluntary program begun in CA • CA schools attempting to meet CHPS can receive grants • Used in varying degrees by 8 states • Washington Sustainable Schools Protocol • A customized version of CHPS • State funded school projects must meet Protocol or be LEED Certified Silver

4. Sustainable Schools in Utah Most sustainable standards focus on five areas where sustainable practices can be implemented: • Site • Water • Materials • Energy • Indoor Environment We wanted to understand the current conditions of the schools in SLCSD with regards to each of these areas as well as make recommendations as to which strategies would be easily implemented or provide the greatest benefit based on case studies and existing practices.

5. Effective Site Selection/Management • Select a school site that reduces the impact upon the environment by: • Avoiding sensitive and undeveloped lands • Locating close to basic services and public transportation • Providing joint-use opportunities • Reducing the building footprint and maximizing open space • Reduce impacts upon the environment from automobile traffic by: • Reducing parking capacity • Providing bicycle facilities • Provide preferred parking for carpools/alternative fuel vehicles • Other strategies: • Effective stormwater management (both quantity and quality) • Reduce heat island effects through use of reflective materials and shade • Reduce light pollution

6. Reduce Water Use/Waste • Reduce the amount of potable water used for irrigation and wastewater movement by: • Using water-wise landscaping and xeriscape • Use captured or recycled rainwater • Use water-conserving fixtures (i.e. low-flow toilets, waterless urinals) or non-potable water for sewage conveyance North Star Elementary

7. Waste Reduction and Efficient Material Use • Reduce amount of construction waste entering landfills and promote the efficient reuse of materials and buildings through: • Recycling Programs in Schools • Salvaging Demolition Waste • Reusing the Structure and Interior of Buildings • Installing Salvaged Materials

8. Environmental Procurement • Increase demand for environmentally sustainable materials by using: • Recycled Content Materials • Rapidly Renewable Materials • Certified Wood • Regional Materials

9. Energy Efficiency Save Energy Consumption Save Money Protect Environment Enhance Students Performance & Health

10. Toolkit Structure • HVAC System • Electricity Consumption • Gas Consumption • Daylighting • Building Envelop • Renewable Resources • Distributed Generation • Goals • Implementation • Tracking • Efficiency • Controls • On-Site Alternative Sources • Commissioning • Management

11. Utah’s Background

12. Barriers in Utah • Insufficient utility incentives • Split incentives • Competition for capital • Delivery limitations • Incomplete cost-assessment • Resistance to change • Low rates • Higher construction costs • Lack of awareness of benefits • Difficulty qualifying benefits

13. Startup • Stewardship • Individual Actions --Educate with reason --Promote with emotions --Lead with actions --Energy efficient as a lifestyle

14. Communication With these programs and knowledge out there – why aren’t such strategies being used in our schools here? • Lack of support or direction at the state level • Lack of communication between school districts and local municipalities • Lack of training or support at the facility management level

15. Sustainable Schools forum • In order to facilitate communication of these ideas and principles a sustainable school forum will be set up to promote dialogue on how these strategies might be applied and utilized in each district. • Our “pilot forum” begins with Salt Lake City School District and is being organized in partnership with the Utah Society of Environmental Education (USEE) • The format of the forum includes: • Presentation on sustainable ideas and practices as applicable to Utah schools along with potential benefits • Panelist discussions/Q&A – Panelists include representatives from: • State – Energy Advisor • USGCB/LEED • APA • AIA • Children’s Health • USEE • Invited Guests will include: • SLC Office of Sustainability • School Board Members • School Representatives (principals, etc.) • School Maintenance/Facility Management/Operations • Planning staff (city)

16. Process Recap • Lessons and feedback from “Pilot Forum” will allow step by step process to be refined. • Partnership with USEE and College of Architecture & Planning will allow process to continue as well as applied to other districts • Process especially important for areas with new growth (Jordan School District, Granite) to ensure new schools are built in a sustainable manner.

17. How does a planner get involved? • Participate in future sustainable school forums • Look for opportunities to encourage sustainable schools within your own communities • General plans • Site selection • Transportation • Master planned communities • Joint-use facilities • Parks and Trail plans • Challenges/Opportunities in working with school districts?