In the Virginia School Boards Association 2009 Green Schools Challenge, Shenandoah County Public Schools has been named the third place winner for schools with a student population ranging from 5,001 to 10,000.

SCPS received this honor, which included a $1,000 award, and a certificate recognizing the school system as a certified green school division at the Opening General Session of the VSBA’s Annual Convention November 18.

Nine school divisions in Virginia were selected as winners from more than 50, and 30 school divisions were recognized as certified green school divisions.

The VSBA Green Schools Challenge is a friendly competition designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce the carbon emissions generated by both the local school division and the broader community. This is the first year the awards were given out. The competition was sponsored by Moseley Architects and TRANE.

While Jeremy Raley, Director of Finance for Shenandoah County Public Schools, initiated the “green” effort and has been the leader for the last two years in helping the division Go Green, it has taken the combined efforts of all personnel to earn this honor and to achieve the savings that have resulted from conservation efforts.

School and division energy management teams were established in the fall of 2008. Throughout 2008-2009, Raley educated staff on practical conservation measures and regularly encouraged schools to reduce electricity and water consumption. He established an internal Go Green! competition among the schools comparing usage numbers and recognized division winners from all three levels at School Board meetings.

End of year data revealed that everyone’s efforts had paid off. During 2008-09, the school division used 1,643,722 fewer KWH than had been used in the previous year. Water consumption decreased last year by 1,759,600 gallons compared to the previous year. Conserving electricity and water not only saved the county over $180,000 but also helped preserve the environment.

Last May, the Shenandoah County Public Schools Division Energy Management Committee decided to participate in the VSBA Green Schools Challenge.

In speaking to the school board, Raley reports, “By participating in the VSBA Green Schools Challenge, the Shenandoah County Public Schools is demonstrating its commitment to leading by example and helping everyone in the school system take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Raley submitted the school division’s application to the Green School Challenge in October 2009. Of a possible 200 points in areas such as Energy Efficiency, Waste Management, Vehicles, Schools and Student Involvement, SCPS scored 125 points and earned the third place award. The $1,000 award will be donated to Shenandoah County Public Schools’ newly formed foundation.

Within the school division, conservation efforts have continued this school year with savings already apparent.