Answer:6. Get Buy-in and Exposure with the School Board and Community at Large
Any successful initiative needs buy-in from above and below. The path to buy-in
from executive leadership is by reporting and building the plan from the top
down.
However, you must implement the plan from the bottom up. Individuals in the
community who must change their behavior need to be educated about the
real stakes involved: the environment, money, the quality of education and the
school community. By providing choices and the opportunity to get involved, you
get everyone to take ownership of the plan.
7. Make the Plan Relevant— and Transparent
What does 10% savings in energy consumption mean to you? Without context—
without relevancy— probably not much. But if that 10% is translated into a new
custodian or security staff, more after school activities or new training equipment for the athletic teams, that 10% is made real. The community can better
rally around these less abstract elements.
One Texas school district’s energy manager described it this way: “If we can
get everyone to shut the lights off right when they leave the classroom, or we
use afternoon natural light in these east-facing classrooms, that will amount
to $65,000 per year in this one elementary school.” Take it one step further and
make it relevant to a teacher’s salary. Doing this can get faculty thinking they
could save a friend’s job by simply turning off the lights. Relevancy goes a
long way.
8. Involve Everyone— Kids, Teachers, Parents
If students believe in the cause, students will get involved. So will teaching staff,
parents and other community members. More people can be drawn into the
energy management program through active training and education. Involving
everyone affiliated with the school translates to greater achievements.
Reward those involved with recognition, praise, and respect. One school created
an energy mascot. It also implemented energy tickets— students were empowered to issue tickets to offending users. The same district sought to reduce solid
waste with a recycling program. Totally student-policed, it became so successful
it was able to cut a $250,000 outside contract for this service in half!
9. Focus on Behavioral Changes
Don’t underestimate the power of a simple behavioral audit. Until wasteful
behaviors are identified, they can’t be changed. Institutions might consider
online utilities where students can see energy consumption of one classroom
versus another in real time. Fostering competition and making responsible
consumption fun are two keys to changing behavior.
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Step-by-step explanation: