These efforts contribute to environmental conservation and serve as practical learning experiences for students, emphasizing the importance of waste reduction and responsible consumption.
To minimize paper usage, CCSD 46 set a goal to reduce printing by 10% within the first three months of the 2024–2025 school year. While overall printing saw a slight increase of 0.4%, color printing decreased by 21.3%, indicating progress in specific areas.
The district continues to encourage using digital platforms such as Google Classroom, Seesaw, and Nearpod to support instructional needs while reducing reliance on paper. Plans include increasing awareness about paper conservation and recognizing staff and buildings that achieve significant reductions.
In partnership with an outside solar vendor, CCSD 46 completed the installation of large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at four schools in 2019: Frederick School (459 kWdc), Prairieview School (634 kWdc), Grayslake Middle School (811 kWdc), and Park Campus (451 kWdc).
Collaborating with architects and facilities leadership, CCSD 46 incorporates sustainability into long-range capital improvement plans, utilizing tools like the ARCskoru performance platform and the LEED checklist to inform decisions on HVAC upgrades, lighting retrofits, and space utilization.
These installations have collectively produced 7,491,350 kWh of energy, equivalent to reducing 3,241 metric tons of CO₂ emissions or 8,307,732 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered vehicle. The district has achieved approximately an 80% reduction in annual building electricity usage, resulting in $679,061 in lifetime energy savings and $2,606,674 in rebates and incentives.
The Resource Conservation Committee, which operates under board policy, guides the district's sustainability efforts. This committee conducts periodic reviews of procurement procedures, promotes the use of recycled materials, and investigates energy and resource conservation strategies.
Collaborating with architects and facilities leadership, CCSD 46 incorporates sustainability into long-range capital improvement plans, utilizing tools like the ARCskoru performance platform and the LEED checklist to inform decisions on HVAC upgrades, lighting retrofits, and space utilization.
CCSD 46's commitment to sustainability has been recognized at both the state and national levels. Meadowview School was honored as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School in 2019 for its achievements in environmental and sustainability education. The school's initiatives include reducing environmental impact, improving health and wellness, and providing effective environmental literacy through programs like the Woodland Project, where students engage in habitat restoration and outdoor learning experiences.
In addition to the administration's work, the board of education has officially launched a Sustainability Task Force to help shape the district’s approach to environmental, financial, and social sustainability. The task force includes staff, community members, and subject-matter experts working together to develop clear definitions of sustainability, explore policy opportunities, and identify potential funding mechanisms.
“Our schools are part of a broader community ecosystem,” says Kristy Miller, board member and the district’s facilitator for the Sustainability Task Force. “We’re looking not only at how we operate day to day but also at how we can align with emerging practices like the Circular Economy to create long-term value and reduce waste.”
The group is using the Circular Economy as a framework, a model that emphasizes reuse, regeneration, and systems thinking.
Through these comprehensive sustainability initiatives, CCSD 46 demonstrates a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship, educational excellence, and community engagement. By integrating sustainable practices into daily operations and curricula, the district reduces its ecological footprint and empowers students to become informed and responsible global citizens.
Roadmap for Sustainability
CCSD 46’s journey toward sustainability offers a replicable model for school districts across Illinois and beyond. Schools don’t need to start with everything at once — small, strategic steps can lead to systemic change. Here's a practical roadmap to get started:
1. Establish a Green Team or Resource Conservation Committee.
Create a cross-functional team of staff, administrators, facilities professionals, and students. Start with a clear mission aligned to board policy that promotes energy and resource conservation, solid waste reduction, and sustainable procurement. Tip: Include voices from every school in your district to build buy-in and support.
2. Audit your current practices.
Use simple assessments to evaluate waste, energy use, and resource consumption. This can include waste audits in lunchrooms, reviewing electricity bills and HVAC performance, and tracking printer usage and paper orders.
The ARCskoru platform and LEED v4.1 checklist are excellent tools for benchmarking school buildings’ performance in energy, waste, and indoor air quality.
3. Set measurable goals and start small.
Begin with realistic, specific goals such as:
- Reducing color printing by 20%.
- Composting in one pilot school before scaling up.
- Installing solar at one high-usage facility.
Communication of your “why” is crucial. For CCSD 46, it was about cost savings, community values, and preparing students for a sustainable future.
4. Leverage external partnerships.
Partner with:
- Architects and engineers experienced in LEED-certified buildings.
- Energy consultants for solar feasibility studies.
- Local waste haulers or composting vendors to implement lunchroom programs.
- Statewide organizations like the Illinois Green Alliance, which supports Green Ribbon Schools applications.
5. Pursue recognition and celebrate milestones.
Recognition programs build momentum. Apply for:
- U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.
- Green Medal Schools (offered through the Illinois Green Alliance).
- Grants and incentives tied to solar energy, composting, and EV infrastructure.
Tip: Highlight your progress in newsletters, at board meetings, and through school tours. CCSD 46 publicly reports progress through its Sustainability Dashboard.
6. Integrate sustainability into learning.
Embed environmental literacy into the curriculum and extracurriculars:
- Host student-led waste audits and garden clubs.
- Use solar dashboards as real-time data for math or science lessons.
- Connect composting efforts with science units on ecosystems or decomposition.
7. Plan for the long term.
Build sustainability into your Capital Improvement Plan. Work with your architect to:
- Assess building systems for energy efficiency.
- Schedule HVAC and lighting retrofits.
- Incorporate EV charging stations and solar expansions.
CCSD 46’s long-range facility plan incorporates LEED-aligned improvements and uses the ARC platform to track environmental impact and ensure every investment improves both learning and sustainability outcomes.
Final Thought
Sustainability isn’t a one-time project; it’s a mindset and a movement. CCSD 46’s efforts show that when sustainability is woven into instruction, operations, and community culture, students learn not only how to live in the world but also how to lead in it.