How to Get Going on“Going Green”

Karen J. Gerlach

At-Large Member, VSBA Board of Directors

Board Member, Radford City

Dr. Chuck Bishop, Superintendent

Radford City Public Schools

Do you know the size of your carbon footprint?

• A carbon footprint is measured by an overall contribution of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

• Included are: energy use, transportation methods and other means of emitting carbon.

Green School Initiatives

• Does your school have green initiatives?

• Recycling?

• Idling policies?

• Energy saving initiatives?

Go Green Virginia

• Originated by VML (Virginia Municipal League)• Created to encourage localities to implement

environmental policies to reduce emissions and promote sustainability

• Radford City won a Silver Certificate• VSBA joined in with the Green Schools Challenge• Radford City Public Schools participated last year

with encouragement from City Officials

City of RadfordInitiatives

• Carbon emissions study

• Energy audit of public buildings

• Municipal recycling of office paper

• Conservation easement

• Tree preservation and planting

• Anti-idling policy• Community education• Alternate work

schedules• Farmer’s Market• Applying for

transportation grant

Radford City Public SchoolsInitiatives

• Paperless School Board Meetings

• Formed a Recycling Committee

• Chug before you chuck

• Eliminated use of Styrofoam

• Commingling containers for recycling

• No idling policy for buses

• Participated in National Walk to School Day

• Elementary schools have walking clubs

• Working with city on walk-out zones

• Participated in GoGreen Schools initiative

Facility Planning & Development

Design Considerations

• Architects and design build firms are conscious of green building practices

• Does not necessarily add significantly to cost

• Immediate costs are important, but balance long term savings

• Work together with locality

Design Solutions

• Sustainable Features

• Day Lighting

• Air Quality

• Heating & Air Conditioning

• Energy Efficiency

Day Lighting

Air Quality

Energy Efficiency

Conclusion

• Start simple

• Think long term savings

• Save the planet

• Questions????

For more information

For a copy of this presentation and a link to the Go Green Schools initiative, go to the VSBA website: www.vsba.org