LPS sustainability team reports energy gains, waste-diversion and new electric buses

Lincoln Public Schools presented highlights from its newly published 2024 annual sustainability report at the April 22 board meeting, saying the district has increased energy efficiency, expanded waste-diversion programs and added electric school buses.

Brittany Weese, sustainability coordinator for LPS, said the district kept “about half or over half” of its waste out of the landfill in 2024 by recycling paper and plastics and collecting electronics and books. The district also reported construction-waste diversion rates around 76–78% on remodeling and new-construction projects.

Why it matters: The district said energy and waste improvements reduce operating cost pressures and support student learning opportunities, including gardens and outdoor classrooms. District officials framed the work as both a cost-saving and educational strategy.

Key highlights reported by sustainability staff: - Energy and buildings: LPS set a record with 31 buildings receiving Energy Star certification in 2024 and reported decreases in overall energy use compared with a 2019 baseline, despite growth in district footprint and new school construction. The district operates geothermal systems and described itself as a national leader in geothermal installations. - Renewable energy and electrification: The district has two solar arrays—at Lincoln Northwest High School and Standing Bear High School—and reported plans for additional solar installations. LPS said it has received three electric school buses through the EPA Clean School Bus grant and operates one electric white-fleet vehicle. The district also reported 10 EV charging sites across district properties. - Waste diversion and composting: LPS said districtwide cafeteria composting is established and that compostable trays have been adopted through a partnership with nutrition services. The district also reported diverting construction waste at rates in the mid- to high‑70 percent range. - Gardens, farm-to-school and food access: LPS said it supports school gardens, outdoor learning and a Farm to School grant (the Nourishing Northeast Lincoln project) that serves four schools in the northeast portion of the city described in the presentation as a food‑access priority area. - Trees and recognition: The district said it planted 75 trees across district sites in the reporting year, and that Kehoe Elementary and nearby Kehoe Park activities helped earn a Tree Campus K–12 recognition through the Arbor Day Foundation. LPS said Mickle Middle School and Don Sherrill (Don Cheryl in slides) Education Center were top point earners in the district’s Green Schools Recognition Program and received $500 sustainability awards each.

Quotes and community engagement: "We really see our role as helping LPS be better about just utilizing our resources wisely," Weese said. She described student internships and community partnerships that support gardening, recycling and school-based sustainability curriculum. Board members and administrators praised the work; one board member observed the district now has air conditioning in every building as part of efficiency upgrades funded by prior bonds.

Next steps and availability: The sustainability team said a fuller report is available on the district website and that staff plan additional solar and electrification projects. They noted ongoing public events, including Arbor Day celebrations and a Students of Sustainability summit that recently brought high school students to Standing Bear to tour renewable-energy and rooftop-garden installations.