Sustainable NJ
SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS AND DIGITAL STAR CERTIFICATIONS
All schools in the district have met the rigorous requirements to achieve silver-level certification and a Digital Schools Star recognition from Sustainable Jersey for Schools.
A Digital Schools Star embraces the mindful implementation of effective digital learning and communication tools, resources, and practices – a commitment that is evident in its mission, culture, classrooms and interactions with its stakeholders. Star schools document their successful digital learning strategies in the action areas of leadership, learning practices, technology access, school culture and climate, and student learning in order to qualify for Star recognition.
The Sustainable Schools for NJ certification program recognizes New Jersey’s schools that demonstrated their leadership and commitment to sustainability.
IN THE NEWS
$6,000 Granted For Sustainability Projects At Three Howell Schools
Awarded SJS Silver Sustainability Certification and Digital Schools Star Recognition
12 Schools Awarded Certificates For Going Green
DISTRICT'S SOLAR DASHBOARD
The Howell Board of Education has solar installed at 15 schools/buildings. The entire project consists of 13,126 solar modules and multiple inverters, which converts the solar energy into usable electricity for the buildings. The systems are projected to produce over 5 MWh of electricity in year one, replacing over 75% of the schools’ electrical consumption with clean, renewable energy. To view statistics on how many trees the district or a specific school has saved over time, our carbon offset and how solar energy works, visit our interactive solar dashboard to view the environmental benefits our district is producing.
Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP)
The Howell Township Board of Education has engaged in an Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) that will benefit the students and staff of Howell Township.
The Howell Township Board of Education performed a Local Government Energy Audit (LGEA) some time ago. Following a formal Request for Proposal process that was monitored by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), the Board of Education, approved the selection of DCO Energy as its partner Energy Services Company (ESCO) to collaboratively design, develop, and implement the district ESIP project.
The district ESIP program is a NJBPU monitored program that enables public entities to fund energy and other capital improvement projects at no cost to the taxpayer by paying for those projects using the energy savings. Working closely with the district, DCO Energy designed a project scope comprised of energy conservation measures that strongly aligned with core objectives centered on improving learning environments, enhancing facilities management, increasing sustainability, and replacing aging equipment to reduce maintenance costs. A major driver of the program is an extensive solar component creating the opportunity for minimal electricity cost solution for the Howell Public Schools.
The wide range of proposed building improvements included:
- New LED lighting
- New, district-wide energy management system
- Boiler and chiller replacements at Middle School North & South
- Building weatherproofing improvements
- Classroom unit ventilator replacements
- Providing air conditioning in the classrooms for eight buildings that currently are not climate controlled
As a result of these improvements, Howell Public Schools will reduce its carbon footprint by 3,821 tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from 736 passenger vehicles, conserving enough energy to power over 415 homes, or planting 4,080 acres of acres of forest in one year.
We are excited for our students to see innovative renewable energy and sustainability measures firsthand and to help promote science through STEM programs and educational materials.
This project will yield benefits for our physical plants but even more importantly, for our entire school community for years to come.
Air Quality Index