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SFUSD director outlines green agenda; board backs Earth Hour participation
Summary
Sustainability director Nick Castro highlighted programs to reduce energy use, expand green schoolyards, equitable environmental learning and green purchasing; the board endorsed an Earth Hour resolution asking schools to turn off nonessential lighting on March 28 and to engage students in climate education.
SFUSD’s new sustainability director, Nick Castro, gave an overview of a district sustainability agenda that includes audits of existing facilities, thin‑client computing and server reductions, green‑cleaning pilots, equitable environmental education, green schoolyards and a proposed green‑schools advisory committee.
Castro said the immediate goals are operational savings, hands-on environmental learning for students and a districtwide green-team network so schools can pursue site-level projects. He noted pilot projects already under way — thin-client computing, green cleaning pilots and tree‑planting proposals — and recommended a public advisory body to advise on measurable sustainable‑schools goals.
Commissioner Mendoza introduced and the board adopted a resolution endorsing Earth Hour (March 28, 2009, 08:30–09:30 p.m.), encouraging staff to post information, remind site leaders and publicize associated student activities; staff and volunteers will audit lighting and work with PG&E where lighting systems can be retrofitted to reduce wasted power. Castro said many exterior and safety lights cannot be switched off; the initiative is focused on turning off nonessential lighting and on education.
