School Business Insider: Roadmap to Sustainable Schools
Episode: Roadmap to Sustainable Schools: Finance, Operations & Environmental Stewardship
Host: John Brucato
Guest: Chris Wildman, Assistant Superintendent for Finance at Gray's Lake Community Consolidated School District 46, Illinois
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Introduction
In this insightful episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato engages with Chris Wildman, the Assistant Superintendent for Finance at Gray's Lake Community Consolidated School District 46 in Illinois. The discussion centers around the district's comprehensive approach to sustainability, exploring the financial, operational, and environmental strategies that have positioned Gray's Lake as a leader in sustainable education.
Cultivating a Culture of Sustainability
Chris Wildman begins by outlining the foundational values that propelled Gray's Lake into adopting a district-wide sustainability program. He emphasizes that sustainability was not an afterthought but a core value ingrained in the district's culture.
"We saw sustainability not as just a green initiative, but something that's probably highly likely going to grow into a strategic planning goal."
[01:27]
The district's commitment is reflected in their proactive approach to addressing aging infrastructure and rising utility costs, all while fostering environmental stewardship within the community.
Establishing Key Committees
A pivotal element in Gray's Lake's sustainability efforts is the formation of two key groups: the Resource Conservation Committee (RCC) and the Sustainability Task Force.
Resource Conservation Committee (RCC):
This cross-functional team includes custodians, administrators, teachers, and members from operations, maintenance, and technology departments. Their mission is to identify and implement building-level opportunities to reduce waste, conserve energy, and adopt green practices.
"The RCC is really the engine behind some of these operational sustainability efforts."
[03:16]
Sustainability Task Force:
Led by a board member, this group comprises a broader spectrum of stakeholders, including community members and students. Their focus is on embedding sustainability into the district's long-term vision and strategic planning.
"The Sustainability Task Force is looking for pathways to embed sustainability in the long-term vision of the district."
[06:18]
Together, these committees ensure that sustainability initiatives are both operationally actionable and strategically aligned with the district’s goals.
Key Sustainability Initiatives
Gray's Lake has implemented several impactful sustainability initiatives, each contributing to cost savings and environmental benefits.
1. Composting Program
The composting initiative is a standout success, resulting in the diversion of 100,000 pounds of waste and an 80% reduction in garbage bag use across the district.
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Origins and Implementation:
The program was spearheaded by Abby Petrozynski, a highly motivated program assistant who became the district's composting advocate. Starting as a pilot in one elementary school, the program expanded to all seven buildings, incorporating both lunchroom and kitchen waste."Abby became a composting volunteer and went around to all the different buildings to create local advocates."
[06:38] -
Financial Impact:
Impressively, the composting program did not incur additional costs. The district secured a recycling contract that included composting services at no extra charge, debunking the myth that such initiatives are always financially burdensome."When we actually went out for a bid several years ago, it didn't cost any extra money to have this additional service."
[09:00] -
Educational Value:
The program serves as a hands-on learning opportunity for students, fostering environmental awareness and responsibility."It's a fantastic learning opportunity for our students who can see firsthand... that’s going to not go into a landfill."
[10:13]
2. Solar Installations
Gray's Lake has installed photovoltaic (PV) systems on four schools, generating over 7.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and saving approximately $679,000 in energy costs, along with securing $2.6 million in incentives.
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Funding and Financial Strategy:
The solar projects were funded through savings from electricity and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) available under Illinois' Adjustable Block Program from the Illinois SHINES initiative. By November of the previous year, the district completed its last bond payment, fully owning the solar systems."We fully own them ourselves, which is great."
[11:48] -
Operational Benefits:
Solar installations have reduced the district’s reliance on the grid, providing predictable revenue streams and long-term energy cost savings."It's a great long-term energy cost saving and a predictable revenue stream."
[11:51] -
Installation Considerations:
Panels are roof-mounted where sufficient space exists, utilizing areas that do not interfere with student activities or create liabilities."We put solar arrays on roofs that were in the best shape and had extra space that wasn't being used for classrooms or play areas."
[12:21]
3. Paper Reduction Efforts
Gray's Lake aimed for a 10% reduction in paper usage but achieved a 21.3% decrease in color printing, although overall total printing saw a slight increase.
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Strategies Employed:
The district utilized digital platforms like Google Classroom, Docs, and Drive to minimize unnecessary printing. Efforts included setting reduction targets and educating teachers on intentional printing practices."It's about being intentional and reducing the waste with intentionality."
[16:06] -
Challenges Faced:
Printing habits varied across different buildings and grade levels, influenced by curriculum requirements that necessitate certain levels of paper use."The standard of your curriculum resource is important... some require a lot of printing, making it hard to reduce."
[16:54] -
Ongoing Efforts:
The district continues to monitor and encourage smart printing practices, balancing the need for paper with sustainability goals."It's really about incremental change and teaching sustainability mindsets to students."
[35:05]
4. Strategic Planning and Resource Conservation
Gray's Lake integrates sustainability into its strategic planning through the use of assessment tools and frameworks like LEED checklists and Arc Score.
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Assessment Tools:
These tools help the district measure performance, set realistic sustainability goals, and prioritize capital projects that align with environmental objectives."LEED checklists and Arc Score provide a framework for measuring performance."
[19:56] -
Smart Procurement:
The district emphasizes purchasing durable, recyclable, and energy-efficient materials to extend asset lifespans and reduce environmental impact."Smart procurement means investing in things that need to last a long time and deliver on their goals."
[30:36]
Tools and Frameworks
Gray's Lake leverages several tools and frameworks to guide its sustainability initiatives:
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LEED Checklists:
Utilized during construction and renovations to ensure buildings meet green standards. -
Arc Score:
A subjective evaluation method that helps the district score and manage sustainability efforts, aligning them with health and efficiency goals."Arc Score was more of a subjective way for the school system to score itself and manage progress."
[22:36]
These tools facilitate a structured approach to sustainability, enabling the district to track progress and make informed decisions.
Challenges and Pitfalls
Chris Wildman candidly discusses the challenges encountered during their sustainability journey:
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Engagement Levels:
Not all staff are equally invested in sustainability initiatives, leading to varying levels of participation and support."Not everyone thinks about all these things all the time... engagement levels are really important."
[34:58] -
Setting Realistic Goals:
While aiming for ambitious targets, the district faced difficulties in achieving certain objectives, such as the overall paper reduction."We didn't meet our paper target... it's important to set measurable but attainable goals."
[35:03] -
Balancing Necessity and Sustainability:
Ensuring that sustainability efforts do not hinder operational needs, such as the necessity for certain levels of paper use in education."It's not about eliminating paper but being intentional and reducing waste."
[16:54]
Recommendations for Other School Business Officials
Drawing from their experiences, Chris offers valuable advice for school business officials aiming to embark on their own sustainability journeys:
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Start with a Spark:
Initiate the process by rallying a passionate group of individuals committed to sustainability."There has to be a spark... create a group and get everyone on board."
[31:58] -
Engage Stakeholders:
Involve students, staff, administrators, and the community to foster a collective commitment."Engaging stakeholders is really important."
[31:58] -
Utilize Data and Tools:
Implement assessment tools to measure progress, set targets, and make informed decisions."Use tools like LEED checklists and Arc Score to measure performance."
[19:56] -
Promote Educational Opportunities:
Integrate sustainability into the curriculum to educate and inspire students."Make sure that our students have a mindset of sustainability."
[35:05] -
Communicate Successes:
Share achievements through dashboards and community updates to build awareness and pride."Use dashboards to show energy savings and other successes to the community."
[33:52]
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Gray's Lake is committed to sustaining and expanding its environmental initiatives:
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Continuing Composting Efforts:
Ensuring the ongoing success and expansion of the composting program. -
Exploring Additional Solar Installations:
Investigating opportunities to extend solar power to other buildings within the district. -
Enhancing Procurement Practices:
Further refining procurement strategies to prioritize sustainable and durable assets. -
Continuous Learning and Adaptation:
Staying informed about best practices from other districts to continuously improve sustainability efforts."Making sure that we periodically audit ourselves and learn from other districts."
[36:54]
Conclusion
Gray's Lake Community Consolidated School District 46 exemplifies how a strategic, values-driven approach to sustainability can yield significant environmental and financial benefits. Through dedicated committees, innovative initiatives, and a commitment to continuous improvement, the district not only reduces its ecological footprint but also fosters a culture of sustainability among students and staff. Chris Wildman's insights provide a valuable roadmap for other school districts aspiring to implement similar sustainable practices.
Thank you for reading this detailed summary of the "Roadmap to Sustainable Schools" episode. For more inspiring stories and expert discussions, tune in to School Business Insider each week.