Board approves new sustainability policy

The Board of Education voted at its October 1 meeting to approve a new district policy. Policy 1810 will provide guidance for WCPSS staff and leadership in best practices for creating sustainable learning environments, in keeping with Aim 20 of the 2023-28 Strategic Plan.

Policy Code: 1810 Sustainability 

The Wake County Board of Education recognizes sustainability as a guiding principle and commits to developing and integrating sustainability practices throughout the Wake County Public School System. For the purpose of this policy, sustainability is the concept of meeting our current needs through behaviors, practices, and policies that do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This policy also establishes a framework and decision-making priorities for environmentally sustainable practices in WCPSS around four tenets: manage resources, conserve resources, reduce and eliminate waste, and reuse and recycle materials.

I. Manage Resources 

The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) will prioritize effective resource management to promote sustainable operations across all aspects of the district. This includes:

• Energy Management: Reducing energy consumption and costs by implementing energy-efficient practices and maximizing the use of clean energy resources. Strategies include energy-efficient lighting, conversion of fossil fuel burning building equipment with electric, solar panel technology, geothermal wells, and well-timed HVAC management. 
• Financial Resource Planning: Investing in cost-effective strategies that offer favorable returns on investment (ROI), particularly in areas like energy efficiency. This includes considering ROI as a critical factor in resource planning and decision-making. 
• Manage Multiple Priorities: Return on Environment (ROE) and Return on Health (ROH) are worthy priorities that may require additional financial resources that may limit or decrease ROI. Purchasing agents are not necessarily limited to the lowest-cost options when balancing multiple, often competing, priorities.

II. Conserve Resources

The district is committed to conserving natural and financial resources by incorporating sustainability goals into its decision-making processes. This involves:

• Conservation Practices: Promoting the conservation of water and energy through efficient operations and maintenance of buildings and grounds. The district will seek to exceed statutory requirements in reducing energy and water usage, providing excellent air quality, and enhancing productivity. 
• Sustainable Design and Construction: Ensuring that all new facilities, major renovations, and maintenance projects utilize high-performance building standards. This includes using green building materials, reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and employing regional resources to minimize environmental impact.

III. Reduce and Eliminate Waste

The district will seek to minimize waste generation through targeted strategies aimed at reducing waste at the source:

• Waste Reduction Strategies: Implementing procedures to reduce the amount of waste generated across all district operations. This includes paperless management practices and optimized purchasing decisions that prioritize minimal waste. 
• Efficient Operations: Employing environmentally preferred purchasing (EPP) practices to reduce costs and environmental impacts. This encompasses the procurement of products and services that are low in toxicity, energy-efficient, and made from rapidly renewable resources.

IV. Reuse and Recycle Materials

WCPSS will maximize recycling efforts and promote the reuse of materials within the district:

• Recycling Initiatives: Expanding district-wide recycling programs to include materials such as paper, plastic, glass, metal, textiles, and electronics. The district will also encourage the reuse of materials wherever possible. 
• Sustainable Business Practices: Fostering the use of recycled and reusable content in products and services purchased by the district. This supports the broader goals of reducing waste and conserving resources across the supply chain.

Monitoring and Reporting

WCPSS will regularly monitor and report on the outcomes of its sustainability efforts, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local requirements. The district remains committed to continuous improvement and innovation in its sustainability practices and to collaborating with local governmental agencies to achieve shared sustainability goals.