Clean Energy Resolution

GREEN BAY AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH GOALS, SUSTAINABILITY,
CLEAN ENERGY, AND CARBON NEUTRALITY

WHEREAS, the City of Green Bay has committed itself to 100% clean energy, energy conservation, and other sustainability goals to mitigate climate change;

WHEREAS, the Greater Green Bay Community stands to benefit when collaborative approaches are taken to address climate change;

WHEREAS, the Green Bay Area Public School District has assumed its responsibility and has already started to implement efficient, environmentally friendly practices in its buildings and maintenance projects;

WHEREAS, the District has already taken deliberate action to reduce energy consumption and lessen its carbon footprint and the financial benefits and savings of transitioning the District’s energy portfolio to clean energy far outweigh the cost imperatives of not doing so;

WHEREAS, staff, student health, wellness, and academic achievement is connected directly to the health of our environment;

WHEREAS, the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change found that if action is not taken to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030 then irrevocable damage to the climate will occur;

WHEREAS, students, faculty, administrators, and board members in the District have also expressed support for the District to take an active role in mitigating climate change;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the District builds immediately into the future facilities plan mandatory standards for the use of clean energy, energy efficiency, water efficiency, recycling, and clean energy projects;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the District reflects within its Wellness Policy the effects of climate on staff and student health;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Green Bay Area Public School District establishes goals to meet 50% of all district operations energy needs with carbon neutral energy by 2035, 75% by 2040 and 100% by 2050 as measured by our carbon footprint;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the District will immediately establish a long term capital improvement fund (Fund 46) that will be used as a source of revenue for future clean energy and energy efficiency projects. The district will commit to a goal of having its first solar array, as a
pilot project planned and constructed by the end of the 20-21 school year;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the District will assemble a volunteer work group of community members, energy experts, and district staff, to develop a long term plan of energy sustainability and clean energy to be presented to the Board of Education;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the District will designate a staff position to coordinate steps toward the above mentioned goals understanding that return on investment will be part of the decision making process as the district moves to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality;

IN WITNESS THEREOF, the undersigned, being all members of the School Board of Education for the Green Bay Area Public School District, have executed this resolution on this 13th day of April, 2020.