Subject of the Week 

Subject List

Leveling UP

Winning the Parcel Tax - Again - With Community Involvement

"Plugging In" to Creative Solutions

Why Vouchers Would Harm Our Schools

Where the Kids Are

Great Teachers

Global Education

  "Plugging In" to Creative Solutions. 

          While never pleasant, budget woes can focus attention and provide motivation to reduce waste and improve operations.  A great example of this involves the way we use energy in our schools, and the possibilities for saving money through smarter and better energy management.

Palo Alto schools spend over $1million/year for energy, about 60 percent of which is for electricity.   Rising utility rates may drive this higher.  Reduction of these expenditures through energy conservation offers great potential for easing budget pressures.

          Starting in the summer of 2001, an ad hoc committee of school personnel, parents and other community members, calling itself the Sustainable Energy Committee, began meeting to explore opportunities for such savings.  In addition, it began to investigate incorporating energy conservation in curriculum.  By the summer of 2003, through the collaboration of the Committee and District staff, and with grants and rebates from the City Utilities Department, much had been accomplished, including the following:

·                     Building For Excellence (B4E) Program plans for Palo Verde and remodeling plans for Terman School were reviewed for inclusion of energy-saving measures.

·                     With funds from City of Palo Alto Utilities, the District hired an expert to design an Energy Management System and to advise on incorporating such measures in ongoing operations and maintenance.

·                     A small photovoltaic system was installed on the roof of Ohlone School's farm, to provide education as well as energy savings.  Solar energy workshops were attended by nineteen 4th and 5th grade teachers representing nine elementary schools.

·                     Through the foregoing steps and others, District staff committed to reduce energy costs by seven percent in the fiscal year 2003-4.

          In June 2003, the Committee presented a progress report to the Board, which praised its accomplishments and encouraged it to continue its efforts.  In response, the Committee has already launched two efforts; namely (1) drafting a Guideline by which the Board would commit to incorporating the highest standards of energy conservation in any new construction; and (2) developing and pilot-testing a curriculum on energy conservation, including the concept of having students do an energy audit of their school and receive rewards for savings.

          I enthusiastically endorse energy conservation as one important tool to free up more funds for our basic mission of education, as well as provide a hands-on demonstration to students of smart energy practices.    Bad energy policy is one of the reasons the state is in such a budget deficit.  Smart energy use in the schools seems an important way to both cut waste and teach valuable lessons. By plugging in wisely, and “plugging in” to community expertise, we can hold down costs and improve our schools.