BP 3510 Green School Operations
Adopted December 8, 2022

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: 
1. Reducing energy and water consumption, and using renewable and clean energy technologies and alternatives when available
2. Establishing recycling programs in district facilities
3. Reducing the consumption of disposable materials by reusing materials and by using electronic rather than paper communications when feasible
4. Using environmentally preferable products and services whenever practical, including, but not limited to, products that:
1. Minimize environmental impacts, toxins, pollutants, odors, and hazards
2. Contain postconsumer recycled content
3. Are durable and long-lasting
4. Conserve energy and water
5. Reduce waste
5. Using least toxic, independently certified green cleaning products when feasible, as well as high-efficiency cleaning equipment that reduces the need to use chemicals
6. Providing professional development to maintenance staff in the proper use, storage, and disposal of cleaning supplies
7. Using effective, least toxic pest management practices for the control and management of pests
8. 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
9. Reducing vehicle emissions by:
a. Encouraging students to walk or bicycle to school or to use district or public transportation
b. Using reduced or zero emission school buses and vehicles and providing accompanying infrastructure such as charging stations
c. Limiting unnecessary idling of school buses in accordance with 13 CCR 2480
d. 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
10. Implementing green school practices in the district's food service programs by:
a. Providing fresh, locally sourced, unprocessed, organic food, including plant-based options, when available
b. Reducing food packaging and using packaging that is recyclable and/or biodegradable
c. Utilizing reusable products
d. Encouraging zero-waste lunches when food is brought from home
e. Maintaining a system for food waste, such as composting
f. 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
11. 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.

Policy Reference Disclaimer:
These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority for the board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in the subject matter of the policy.

State                                                  Description

13 CCR 2480- Vehicle idling, limitations

2 CCR 1859.70.4 - Funding for high performance incentive grants

2 CCR 1859.71.6 - Additional grant for high performance incentive, new construction

2 CCR 1859.77.4 - Additional grants for high performance incentive, site and modernization
24 CCR 101.1-703.1   Green building standards

5 CCR 14010 -  Procedure for site acquisition

Ed. Code 101012 -  Kindergarten through 12th grade school facilities program

Ed. Code 17070.96 -  Leroy F. Greene School Facilities Act of 1996, consideration of high performance standards

Ed. Code 17072.5 -  New construction grants; use for designs and materials for high performance schools

Ed. Code 17608-17614 -  Healthy Schools Act of 2000

Ed. Code 32370-32376 -   Recycling paper

Ed. Code 33541 -  Science requirements

Ed. Code 8700-8707 -  Environmental education F&A Code 13180-13188 Healthy Schools Act of 2000

H&S Code 114079 -  General food safety requirements; unused or returned food
Pub Cont. Code 12400-12404 -  Environmentally preferable purchasing

Pub. Res. Code 25410-25422 -  Energy conservation assistance
Pub. Res. Code 40050-40063 -   Integrated waste management act

Pub. Res. Code 42630-42647 -  Schoolsite source reduction and recycling assistance program

Management Resources                  Description

California Air Resources Board Publication

CHPS Publication                             CHPS Best Practices Manual

Global Green USA Publication         Healthier, Wealthier, Wiser: A Report on National Green Schools Green Schools Initiative Publication Green Schools Buying Guide

Healthy Schools Campaign Publication

Website                                              CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services

Website                                              U.S. Green Building Council, LEED Green Building Rating System

Website                                              Global Green USA

Website                                              Green Schools Initiative

Website                                              Healthy Schools Campaign

Website                                              California Air Resources Board

Website                                              California Department of General Services, Green California

Website                                              California Energy Commission

Website                                              Collaborative for High Performance Schools

Website                                              U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Website                                              CSBA

Cross References

Code    Description

0450     Comprehensive Safety Plan 0450   Comprehensive Safety Plan 0470     COVID-19 Mitigation Plan 1220   Citizen Advisory Committees 1220     Citizen Advisory Committees

1400     Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies And The Schools 3100          Budget

3100     Budget

3270 Sale And Disposal Of Books, Equipment And Supplies 3270 Sale And Disposal Of Books, Equipment And Supplies 3311 Bids

3311     Bids

3460     Financial Reports And Accountability 3460          Financial Reports And Accountability 3511     Energy And Water Management 3511           Energy And Water Management 3511.1 Integrated Waste Management

3511.1	Integrated Waste Management
3514	Environmental Safety
3514	Environmental Safety
3514.1	Hazardous Substances
3514.1	Hazardous Substances
3514.2	Integrated Pest Management
3523	Electronic Signatures
3523	Electronic Signatures
3540	Transportation
3541	Transportation Routes And Services
3550	Food Service/Child Nutrition Program
3550	Food Service/Child Nutrition Program
3551	Food Service Operations/Cafeteria Fund
3551	Food Service Operations/Cafeteria Fund
4231	Staff Development

5141.22 Infectious Diseases

5141.22 Infectious Diseases

5141.23 Asthma Management

5141.23 Asthma Management

5142.2	Safe Routes To School Program
5142.2	Safe Routes To School Program
6142.5	Environmental Education
7110	Facilities Master Plan
7111	Evaluating Existing Buildings
7131	Relations With Local Agencies
7150	Site Selection And Development
7150	Site Selection And Development