Through an expo with more than 100 companies offering green products and services, and special events including a leadership awards reception, the summit allows public and private sector stakeholders to discover innovations in green and sustainable technologies, policies, teaching strategies and best practices, helping them save money, improve learning environments and reduce environmental impacts.

This year several sessions focus on Proposition 39 funding and maintaining operations during the state’s prolonged drought, which has now reached critical levels in many communities. Proposition 39, also known as the California Clean Energy Jobs Act, will make approximately $550 million available for energy efficiency and clean energy projects in the state’s schools annually through fiscal year 2018-2019.

Sessions like “Finding Value in Prop 39” and “Leveraging Energy-Related Prop 39 Money” will help attendees navigate the act, capitalize on the available funding and offer an opportunity to share related tips and best practices. Meanwhile “The Drought — Impacts and Solutions for Schools” and “School Gardens and Water Conservation” will offer practical advice for managing the state’s ongoing water shortage and creating an institutional culture of water conservation.

Multiple sessions will also focus on high performance schools, net-zero facilities and developing and implementing sustainability-focused curriculums and initiatives.

Keynote speakers for the opening session on Nov. 5 will be Rear Admiral Len Hering and Senator Fran Pavley. As Commander of the Navy Region Southwest, Admiral Hering developed groundbreaking programs in energy, water and waste management, setting standards that have influenced practices throughout the Department of Defense. He currently serves as executive director of the California Center for Sustainable Energy.

Before entering politics, Senator Pavley was a middle school teacher for nearly three decades. She later authored the landmark Global Warming Solutions Act, as well as legislation that led to the development of the nation’s first K-12 environmental literacy curriculum. She currently serves as the chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.

Attendees can accrue Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for both the International Code Council and Build it Green by attending specific sessions. Renewal points are also available through the Construction Management Association of America, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will offer credits for selected sessions.

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California voters approved Proposition 39 in 2012, closing certain tax loopholes and investing roughly $2.5 billion of that new revenue into energy efficiency improvements to K-12 and community college buildings. Resulting facility improvements across Hacienda La Puente USD will include classroom lighting and occupancy sensor retrofits, LED exterior and gymnasium lighting retrofits, and new heating and cooling systems.

“Among the 1,000 plus school districts in California, we are one of the larger school districts, and one of only 47 districts with an approved Prop 39 plan,” Gino Kwok, board president of Hacienda La Puente USD, said in a release. “We also take pride in knowing that these efficiency improvements will have a life-changing impact on our students, create new local jobs, and have a positive environmental impact. It’s a win-win-win for everyone in the community.”

“When it comes to energy savings, it never pays to wait,” Jordan Lerner, regional director, Schneider Electric, added in a statement. “Hacienda La Puente USD got started early in the process and their proactive efforts resulted in an expedited approval of the largest funded Prop 39 project to date. We commend the district for getting the ball rolling early and look forward to making significant facility improvements that will enhance their learning and working environments.”

According to a release issued by Schneider Electric, the California Energy Commission approved the Proposition 39-funded project for the entire 5-year program. The project is projected to save Hacienda La Puente USD’s four high schools $459,000 annually, or 28 percent of their existing energy bill. Moreover, the district will enjoy a 38 percent electricity savings at these sites, and will stimulate the local job market through a project labor agreement with IBEW.

“In addition to simplifying the entire process, partnering with Schneider Electric allowed us to directly address our most pressing energy efficiency problems through an integrated approach,” Annie Bui, associate superintendent of business services for Hacienda La Puente USD, said in a statement. “We now have a full 5-year energy savings plan that will help maximize every Prop 39 dollar.”

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Springfield voters approved a nearly $72 million bond issue in April 2013 that will fund the new $18 million Sherwood Elementary, as well as additions and improvements at four other schools. In late December, the school board also approved revised guidelines for all new school construction. Under these directives, future classrooms, gymnasiums and other educational spaces will be larger, allowing for greater flexibility and a steadily increasing enrollment.

Students attending Sherwood and other future district schools will soon enjoy 1,100-square-foot classrooms, up from 900 square feet. Art classroom sizes will also increase from 1,100 square feet to 1,300 square feet, while science classroom sizes have increased by 250 square feet. The board also required that auditoriums now be built to seat up to 70 percent of the study body, as opposed to the current half. Additionally, all new schools will be built with separate cafeteria, gymnasium and multi-purpose spaces. Further revisions require the district to consult safety research when determining the number of entrances and exterior doors at each school.

Despite this slew of changes, the district’s Director of Business Operations, Scott Wendt, has stressed that these new guidelines are “a living document.” Board member Andy Hosmer added, “We always need to be cognizant of the fact that how kids learn and where they learn and what that space looks like can be accomplished in a lot of different, innovative ways.”

In keeping with its commitment to improve sustainability, the district has also approved several energy-efficient upgrades for Sherwood Elementary, which is currently still in the design phase. The board has already agreed to integrate a geothermal heating and cooling system, and also plans to reduce both lighting and power usage. Combined, these efforts are expected to substantially decrease the school’s Energy Use Intensity (EUI). Though district officials have also discussed net zero possibilities, it appears that the school will integrate some energy-saving technologies during construction, and may add further renewable sources in the future.

An innovative partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield will also set Sherwood Elementary apart. Under this partnership, the school will add an adjoining 5,500-square-foot club space to the physical structure. The club will contribute $1.2 million toward construction costs, as well as monthly usage fee of $1,975. Though other schools and clubs across the nation have formed similar partnerships, this is the first of its kind locally. According to a statement published by the Boys & Girls Club, the agreement allows the club to also utilize the school’s library, computer labs, athletic fields, cafeteria and several classrooms. According to Pat Gartland, executive director of the Springfield Boys & Girls club, the arrangement will allow the organization to serve an additional 500 students.

The district has contracted with Sapp Design Associates of Springfield for architectural and engineering work for Sherwood Elementary. Construction of both the school and adjoining Boys & Girls Club space is set to begin this spring.

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