Add as a preferred source on Google

California K–12 District Launches Energy Infrastructure, Sustainability Program

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/09/24

The Burlingame School District in Burlingame, Calif., recently announced the upcoming launch of its Energy Infrastructure and Sustainability Program Phase II, according to a news release. Construction on HVAC modernizations and solar structures will begin early this year and is scheduled for completion before the beginning of the 2024–25 school year. Schools within the district will gain access to renewable energy generation and electrical improvements to replace outdated gas utilities.

The district will modernize the HVAC infrastructure of every campus and offer air-conditioning to these facilities for the first time ever, the news release reports. Smart building automation systems will also maximize energy efficiency, enhance ventilation, and streamline school operations.

Phase II also entails installing parking, shade, and rooftop solar structures at six district elementary schools. The renewable energy and improvements to efficiency are intended to offset energy consumption from the new HVAC system while also pushing the district further toward net zero energy.

“By switching to modernized energy solutions, the Burlingame School District is not only reducing our energy footprint but also forming school environments which support learning and collaboration,” said Board of Trustees Previous President and Current Trustee Lisa Mudd. “These sustainability improvements harmonize the work we do in the classroom with the operation of our school facilities.”

The district implemented Phase I of the program five years ago and has saved more than 4.2 million kilowatt hours in energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 3,000 metric tons of CO2.

“Our energy infrastructure will reflect Burlingame School District’s vision and mission,” said district superintendent Dr. Marla Silversmith. “Building resilient facilities with efficient, renewable energy standards promotes environmental stewardship for our community and encourages our problem-solvers to prepare for their future.” 

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • ClassVR headsets

    Avantis Education Revamps Hardware for ClassVR Solution

    Avantis Education recently announced the launch of two new headsets for its flagship educational VR/AR solution, ClassVR. According to a news release, the Xcelerate and Xplorer headsets expand the company’s offerings into higher education while continuing to meet the evolving needs of K–12 users.

  • UCNJ Launches $30M Modernization of Physical Education Center

    The Union College of Union County (UCNJ) in Cranford, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $30-million modernization project for its Physical Education Center (PECK), according to a news release. The college partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the project’s design, transitioning the existing 42,000-square-foot structure into a campus hub for student athletics and campus life.

  • Creating Long-Term Sustainability on College Campuses Through Fair Student Housing

    The quality of student housing can have a significant impact on an individual’s college experience. Today’s higher education institutions face mounting challenges, including declining enrollment, low retention rates between the first and second years, and a rise in student mental health concerns. Thoughtfully designed living spaces can help address these issues by creating environments that promote both academic focus and personal well-being.

  • DLR Group Appoints New K–12 Education Practice Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has named its new global K–12 Education leader, Senior Principal Carmen Wyckoff, AIA, LEED AP, according to a news release. Her teams have members in all 36 of the firm’s offices in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Europe, and Asia.

Digital Edition