Daylighting

Energy consumption and utility expenses are the second biggest operating expenses for most school districts. Adoption of energy efficiency techniques have demonstrated that it is possible for schools to save on annual energy costs while enhancing student performance. Maximizing the use of natural daylighting and color-balanced lighting have improved learning conditions in addition to reducing energy costs for several schools in Illinois' Indian Prairies School District.

Energy Efficiency at Indian Prairie School District

Schools in Illinois' Indian Prairies District benefit from a variety of energy saving measures that include a tiered approach moving from the simplest techniques through to those that require more efforts and resources. Initially they began with increasing awareness among staff and students, adding enhancements and motivators along with some quick fixes. Eventually they obtained grants for retrofit projects and some mechanical methods. An array of rooftop solar panels generates electricity for school use while also providing valuable educational opportunities for students. Substantial energy savings were made by replacing old florescent lights with reflectors and T8 bulbs. Some common sense techniques combined with some retrofit projects have generated a district-wide $1.4 million in savings.

Energy Efficiency at Olympia Community Unit School District

Combating high-energy bills have been a top priority for the Olympia Community School District that serves several rural communities near Bloomington, Illinois. A geothermal heat pump was installed to provide heating and air conditioning to a middle school/high school complex. The pump extracts useful heat from the ground in the winter and discharges wasteful heat during the summer months. A second energy efficiency measure included installation of room occupancy sensors. Students further pursued "green" principles to conduct energy audits and manage the school's recycling program. They began with aluminum cans and paper and eventually received a grant to purchase a cardboard baler. They now recycle all of their cardboard waste, thus reducing the school's solid waste volume.

Indoor Air Quality at Danvers Elementary School

Indoor Air Quality is a growing issue at many older schools, including the Olympia Community District in central Illinois. Staff at Danvers Elementary School expressed concerns about outdoor air quality that was being supplied into the school; and after some investigation the ventilation was rerouted. Other strategies used to improve the indoor air quality involved cleaning spills while fresh, using low emission maintenance and cleaning supplies, moving idling buses and cars away from intake, and addressing a mold issue in the basement. To combat the mold the school used the US EPA's Tools for Schools resources to formulate a strategy and timeline.

Integrated Pest Management at Mattoon School District

Pest problems can create unique challenges for aging school buildings. Routine spraying for pests has frequently been the "solution" for managing pests. The rise of respiratory problems, in particular asthma, in school populations has created a need for a different approach to pest control. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been adopted by the Mattoon School District in southeastern Illinois to control a cockroach infestation. Rather than use the traditional process of only managing for the visible pests, the school adopted an IPM plan that included routine monitoring for pests, eliminating entry paths, removal of harborage, and combining chemical and non-chemical techniques only when necessary.

School Chemical Cleanup

Every school faces different challenges. Many schools have stockpiled chemicals including some hazardous materials such as mercury and cyanide containing compounds. Age, condition and reactive properties make these dangerous and expensive for the school to both remove and clean if accidentally spilled. A special Illinois EPA initiative collects educational hazardous materials from science labs, art rooms, and industrial shops in schools across Illinois. Oswego High School participated in one of these collections by first participating in a Safe Chemicals in Education Workshop. In this workshop teachers, school administrators and facility managers learned about proper storage techniques, Green Chemistry techniques, and safety requirements that helped to improve the school's environmental health.

Starting Your Own Green Schools Program

Efforts implemented by each school have made remarkable changes that protect the students and staff and save valuable resources. Take the first step toward making your school a healthier and energy efficient environment. Identify a champion who can coordinate efforts and market the successes. Make a commitment, identify priorities and follow some simple steps beginning with easy techniques in order to facilitate change. These steps are identified in this video clip.